Robredo on Independence Day: Defend democracy, institutions

Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday called on Filipinos to help defend democracy by uniting to save the country's institutions that she said were "being eroded."

Saying that defending democracy was "our biggest fight today," Robredo said the people should be "strongly united" and "never allow disagreements to divide."

"We are already seeing our institutions being eroded. They are already weakening. We must move swiftly and effectively, if we are to ensure that they are strong enough for our children’s children," Robredo said at the Defend Democracy Summit (DDS), a multisectoral gathering at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, held in time of the country's 119th Independence Day.

"These are extraordinary times, and if we are not able to lay aside our differences and talk to one another, we will be fighting enemies within as well as without. We will not stand a chance. It is imperative that we are united and focused on what are truly important," she added.

While recognizing the misgivings the people have about the workings of democracy in the country, Robredo said she believed this was still the model wherein the Philippines will achieve progress.

"Marami na tayong pinagdaanan sa ating pagsisikap na maipatotoo ang mga pangakong dala ng demokrasya. Inip na ang ating mga kababayan. Inip na tayong lahat," Robredo said. 

"Pero buo ang loob ko, maaabot natin ito. At hindi matitinag ang ating paniniwala na tanging demokrasya ang makakapagdala ng tunay na kaunlaran sa ating bayan," she added.

The Vice President, whose office runs a six-point poverty alleviation program, reiterated her call for inclusivity here, saying the people, especially the poor, "cannot afford to wait."

"[W]e must point our institutions towards inclusivity if we are to create a nation strong enough in these extraordinary times. In doing that, let us be more serious about giving the marginalized a seat at the table. When there is inclusivity, even at the birth of all our efforts, we are more likely to succeed," she said.

"These are the moments that allow us to set aside the narrative of divisiveness, hate, anger, and attacks that we experience in our nation today, and in many other parts of the world. It is true what someone said in passing: life is too short to bathe in other people’s rage. Instead, we must change the narrative with hope, unity, and positive conversations," she added.

"This is something that all of us can do to defend democracy. This is something that anyone—notwithstanding political color, tribe, religion, or gender—can do to fight for truth and freedom," she went on.

Robredo spoke at the DDS event hours after she led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at Rizal Park in Manila, which President Rodrigo Duterte had skipped, due to "little sleep" given commitments related to the situation in Mindanao.

In her Independence Day message, released on Monday afternoon, the Vice President vowed to follow the Constitution and protect democracy.

"Patuloy ang ating panalangin na manatiling buhay sa puso ng bawat Pilipino ang tunay na ibig sabihin ng maging malaya ... Bilang Pangalawang Pangulo ng Pilipinas, at bilang lingkod bayan, mananatili tayong tapat at totoo sa Konstitusyong ito upang hindi na maulit ang madilim na kabanata ng ating kasaysayan," she said.

"Kasama ng sambayanang Pilipino, gagawin natin ang lahat upang mapangalagaan ang demokrasya at maipaglaban ang kalayaang nakamit ng mga nauna sa atin," she added.

Other officials, past and present, who were at the DDS event included Senators Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Antonio Trillanes IV—members of the minority bloc at the upper chamber.

Also present were figures who joined petitions against Duterte's martial law declaration in Mindanao, including Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, former Commission on Human Rights chair Etta Rosales, and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay. —NB, GMA News