Leni Running As Independent, Picks Kiko Pangilinan As VP Bet

Staying true to her commitment to inclusivity and unity among the opposition, Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday, Oct. 7, filed her certificate of candidacy as an independent presidential bet in the 2022 elections.

Clad in blue with a pink ribbon pinned on her chest, Robredo – accompanied by her daughters Tricia and Aika – formalized her candidacy hours after she announced her decision to run for higher office.

Sources confirmed that Liberal Party (LP) president and Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who was originally planning to run for reelection, was tapped as her running mate. On Instagram on Thursday, Pangilinan's wife, singer-actress Sharon Cuneta, indicated that they would getting into something all of a sudden. "Mukhang may papasukin kaming bigla," she said as she assured her husband of all her love and support. "You have the best heart. You're the best man I know...Wherever God takes you, I will surely be beside you."

Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said she will explain her decision to run as independent on Friday, Oct. 8. The Vice President chairs the LP, the ruling party during the time of the late of former president Benigno Aquino III.

In announcing her decision to run for the higher office, the Vice President vowed to fight for a better Philippines, “where the government truly puts the interest of the Filipino people front and center.”

“Ina akong nakikita ang pagdurusa ng minamahal kong bansa. Naniniwala ako: Ang pag-ibig, nasusukat hindi lang sa pagtitiis, kundi sa kahandaang lumaban, kahit gaano kahirap,  para matapos na ang pagtitiis. Ang nagmamahal, kailangang ipaglaban ang minamahal, (I am a mother who sees the suffering of my beloved country. I firmly believe: Love is not measured by forbearance alone but by a readiness to do battle. Whoever loves must do battle for the beloved),” Robredo, clad in blue with a pink ribbon pinned on her chest, said in Filipino.

“Today, I stand with full resolve: We must free ourselves from the current situation. I will fight. We will fight. I offer myself as a candidate for the presidency in the 2022 elections,” she added.

Robredo, who spent months reaching out to other potential opposition candidates with the hope of forging a unity ticket, said she has not planned to run for president.

“I was already thinking of heading back home to our province, where so many are also relying on me to help bring about change,” she said. “Over the past few weeks, we met with different individuals. I made it clear: I am ready to give way and to simply help.”

But she also disclosed the importance of aligning principles to achieve a common objective –ending hunger, suffering and death due to those in power who have prioritized self-interest over the welfare of the Filipino.

Among those she previously talked to were Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, who have all filed their certificates of candidacy for president over the past week.

While some offered to join forces, nothing tangible materialized over the unity talks, which Robredo said she would not be giving up until the very last moment.

“The presidency is an enormous responsibility, and a decision whether to run for president or not cannot be based on ambition or outside prodding,” she said.

“When it comes to leadership, there should only be one consideration: What is best for our country?” she added.

Take a stand

For Robredo, addressing the problem should go beyond changing not just the surnames of those in power, but the type of governance filled with corruption, incompetence and lack of compassion.

She stressed the importance of taking a clear stand, taking a swipe at those who are willing to compromise and who cannot even say that what is wrong is wrong.

“Where I stand is clear: I am on the side of all who are doing what they can to lift themselves, their families, and their fellow human beings from this pandemic,” she said.

“Though our contexts may be different, the feeling of being in the margins should be familiar to all – when you grasp for a lifeline, when you just want to knock on any door, when you cry out to whomever might be able to hear: Help,” the Vice President stressed.

‘A mother for the country’

Describing herself not just a mother of three daughters but of the entire nation, Robredo said every parent understands what they are willing to go through and sacrifice for their children.

 “The challenge before us is clear: We have all seen the lies and harassment that others are capable of doing to reach their goals,” she said.

“They have the money, machinery, an entire infrastructure that can spread whichever story they choose to spread. But no amount of noise can ever drown out the truth: If the same kind of governance, the same kind of people triumphs in the coming elections, then we cannot expect change to happen,” added Robredo.

She expressed gratitude to those who trusted her and independently worked to push her to run for president.

Vowing to fight for Filipinos until the very end, Robredo urged her supporters to take a stand, reach out beyond their usual circles and expand their ranks.

Tell the truth, she said, to inform people how her office – despite a meager budget – was able to do so much to help those in need.

“Take a stand, and I assure you, others will stand beside you. Reach out beyond your usual circles; expand our ranks. Tell the truth that despite the limitations, despite the attacks, our humble office here at the Office of the Vice President has been able to do so much to help those in need,” Robredo said.

“If we were able to do all of this… imagine how much more we can do, how much farther we can reach, if we can focus the entire energy of the government where it really should be focused: The welfare of the Filipino people,” she stressed. “The future is something we choose, something we work for, something we fight for. We have to choose to step forward. Here I am today, taking that step forward.”