Robredo considers turning OVP into 'advocacy-heavy' office as biggest legacy

On her last full day in office, Vice President Leni Robredo said she considers turning the Office of Vice President (OVP) from a "ceremonial" office into an "advocacy-heavy" one as her biggest legacy.

"The core of our programs is transforming communities through our programs," Robredo said Wednesday during her last interview with reporters before stepping down from office on June 30.

"When we came here, it is more of medical assistance. While the medical assistance helps a lot of people, sa tingin namin, hindi siya masyadong  progressive kasi hindi mo nababago iyong paniniwala, pagtingin in how governance should be," Robredo added.

The OVP under Robredo piloted the Angat Buhay program, an anti-poverty initiative that provides aid to those in need by combining the resources of her office and the private sector. The program was able to reach all of the country's 17 regions and 64 out of 81 provinces of the country.

Based on the figures provided by the OVP on the program, at least P819 million worth of assistance were distributed to beneficiaries nationwide.

Robredo said such achievement is due to her staff's steadfast and diligent work.

"Our second [legacy] is being able to show that despite our limitations, we were able to put things in order in our office. We achieved ISO certification, unqualified opinion from Commission on Audit (COA), prime HR awardee," Robredo said.

"When you strive for excellence, mas maganda ang serbisyo na naibibigay sa tao," she added.

No regrets

Meanwhile, Robredo said she has no regrets in running for president despite her performance in surveys because she ultimately defied her pre-election numbers through the support of volunteers.

"But during the campaign, hindi ko inaasahan iyong movement na mabubuo. Iyong volunteerism sa OVP, nagawa siya many times over," she said.

"Tao talaga ang gumagalaw. From 7%, I reached 28%. Malaking blessing na iyon. Kahit hindi ako nanalo, if I have to do it all over again knowing what the results would be, I will still do it."

Robredo placed second in the May 2022 presidential race. She will be replaced by Vice President-elect Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte. —KBK, GMA News