Vice President Leni Robredo finally made up her mind and announced plans to run for president in the 2022 elections.
Robredo, in deciding on her presidential run, vowed to end the old and rotten system of politics, improve the plight of Filipinos, and restore clean and effective governance.
“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,” she said.
“Buong-buo ang loob ko ngayon: Kailangan nating palayain ang sarili mula sa kasalukuyang situwasyon. Lalaban ako; lalaban tayo. Inihahain ko ang aking sarili bilang kandidato sa pagkapangulo sa halalan ng 2022,” she said.
Robredo also vowed to bring true change in the country, attain a future that is fair, humane, and where each Filipino has a chance to succeed. She said nothing will change if the same form of poor governance and personality will win in the upcoming elections.
“Hindi lang apelyido ng mga nasa puder ang dapat palitan. ‘Yung korapsyon, incompetence, ‘yung kawalan ng malasakit, kailangang palitan ng wastong pamumuno,” she said.
“Tatalunin natin ang luma at bulok na klase ng pulitika. Ibabalik natin sa kamay ng karaniwang Pilipino ang kakayahang magdala ng pagbabago,” she said.
Robredo said she knows the presidency carries heavy responsibilities and that running for such post should not be based on ambition or pressure from others.
“Mahaba ang daang tinahak natin para makarating sa araw na ito. Hindi ko binalak tumakbo. Iniisip ko nang bumalik na lang sa probinsya namin, kung saan marami rin ang umaasa sa aking tumulong magpanday ng pagbabago,” she said.
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Robredo also thanked her supporters and encouraged them to continue the fight.
“Alam kong marami sa inyo ang ilang buwan nang kumikilos nang kusa tungo sa layuning ito. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang tiwalang kaloob ninyo sa akin. Sinasabi ko ngayon: Buong-buo rin ang tiwala ko sa inyo. Tinatawag ko kayo: Gisingin ang natutulog pang lakas,” she said.
“Tumindig kayo; tinitiyak ko, mayroon ding titindig sa tabi ninyo. Kumausap ng labas sa nakasanayan; palawakin pa ang hanay,” she said.
Prior to her announcement, Robredo had said she was open to running for president or a local post in the 2022 polls. But she first initiated talks with potential presidential bets in her bid to unite the opposition and field a single bet in next year’s presidential race. The proposed united opposition however fell through.
In the afternoon, the vice president filed her certificate of candidacy for president.
Robredo files COC for independent president: ‘Ang nagmamahal, kailangang ipaglaban ang minamahal’
Proud daughter moment: Jillian Robredo ‘happy’ to cast first presidential vote for mom Leni
