Robredo kicks off campaign with pitch for honest leadership

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday pitched for an honest governance as she kicked off her presidential campaign, saying integrity among public servants will result in faster delivery of government services and a progressive nation.

Robredo made the pitch during her first campaign stop in Lupi, Camarines Sur, the location of Angat Buhay village — a relocation site for victims of typhoons Quinta, Ulysses and Rolly during the last quarter of 2020.

“Ito ang pinakahalimbawa na kapag ang gobyerno tapat sa kanyang panunungkulan, pag ang gobyerno bumababa at pinapakiramdaman ang pangangailangan ng taong bayan, napapapunta sa tama ang pera na nasa kaban ng bayan,” Robredo said, referring to Angat Buhay village.

(This village shows that as long as public officials are loyal to their oath of office, if they go on the ground and hear the people out, public funds are spent for the benefit of the people.)

“Heto po ‘yung sinasabi natin na pag ang gobyerno tapat, talagang aangat ang buhay ng lahat. Hanggang hindi po natin pinapalitan ang luma at bulok na klase ng pulitika, hanggang hindi po natin nabibigyan ng inspirasyon at pag-asa ang ating mga kababayan, talagang walang magbabago," she added.

(This is what we are pushing for: an honest government is key to our progress. Unless we reject old and rotten politics, nothing will change.)

Robredo then expressed confidence that she has the people's support in her battle for the presidency, given that she ranked far second in pre-election surveys.

“Kaya ngayong umaga po sa pag-umpisa ng ating kampanya, niyayaya ko po kayong lahat na samahan kami — sumama po kayo sa laban nating ito dahil ito ay para sa ating lahat. Kaya po ito, malakas ang loob ko dahil kasama ko kayo. Malakas po ang loob ko dahil alam ko na kahit anong hirap ang pagdaanan natin, kakayanin natin dahil magkakasama tayo,” she said.

(I have the courage to wage this battle because I know this fight is for all of us. I am confident because no matter how hard will this be, I can weather the storm because you are with me.)

Robredo was joined in the stage by her running mate, Senator Francis Pangilinan, as well as members of their Senate slate dubbed Tropang Angat, namely:

• Senator Risa Hontiveros
• former Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat
• former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV
• human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and
• Alex Lacson of Kapatiran

The team also brought a standee of Senator Leila de Lima, who is in detention due to pending drug charges. A vocal critic of the Duterte administration, De Lima has repeatedly denied the accusations against her.

Robredo also called on the crowd to vote for the rest of her Senate slate who were not present during the event, namely:

• Senator Richard Gordon
• Senator Joel Villanueva
• Senator Miguel Zubiri
• former Vice President Jejomar Binay and
• Sorsogon Governor "Chiz" Escudero

—KBK, GMA News