“We need a candidate who is patriotic, democratic and progressive.”

.

.

.

Vice-President Leni Robredo is my presidential candidate for the 2022 elections. I join the many groups that are hoping for VP Leni to finally decide to run and go against the allies of Duterte, and those positioning as “independent” but for the last five years have been silent about all the problems that the Duterte administration has been inflicting on the country and our people.

The latter are in fact, Duterte enablers.Outright, I will say that whoever becomes the next president has his/her work cut out for him/her. Coming from the situation we are now, whoever wins next will experience leading during a most difficult period in the country’s life. Picking up the pieces after Duterte’s mess, including how the pandemic has been/is being mismanaged will be anything but easy.The country needs someone who can unify the opposition.

We need someone tested, strong, consistent, patriotic, democratic, progressive, and someone who enjoys the international community’s trust and goodwill.Only Leni Robredo and not any of those positioning themselves as presidential candidates, can inspire unity among the various opposition groups.

‘

These include politicians from different non-administration political parties; progressive party-list groups, ideological formations and the so-called political blocks; NGOs, people’s organizations, and sectoral organizations, and business and church groups.Those who hope for a Leni candidacy go way beyond those in 1Sambayan, the coalition that unfortunately, until now has yet to truly catch fire especially among the ordinary Filipinos who hold the key to the Presidency.

Several independent initiatives of private citizens are ongoing to push the VP to make the crucial decision and also to make more people in poor communities aware of what the VP has been doing for the country despite being marginalized by Duterte, and despite her office’s meager budget.Other supposedly “independent” presidential wannabes namely, Trillanes, Lacson, Pacquiao, and Gordon, will not be able to unify the various groups I mentioned for different reasons.

Trillanes and Lacson are perceived to be “too rightist,” Pacquiao is widely considered as “underqualified” especially in terms of track record, and Gordon, well, he is simply not in the radar of people.Only Robredo can unify the fragmented opposition similar to former President Cory Aquino when she ran against the dictator Marcos.

The country needs a candidate who is tested, strong, and consistent. VP Robredo has proven her competence, efficiency, and consistency. From the start of her being the second-highest official of the land, she has very ably and continuously embarked on various projects that benefit those who are largely ignored by the government.

She has been doing this even if Duterte himself keeps on putting her aside, and worse, vilifying her. Despite being the target of disinformation by this administration’s troll army, VP Robredo has proven her mettle as a strong person, able to withstand and ward off all negativity and malice thrown her way while doing good work for the people.

We need a candidate who is patriotic, democratic and progressive. VP Leni is all these. She is the complete opposite of Duterte who rules with an iron fist, who surrenders the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to China, and a habitual violator of human rights.

Robredo has always defended the country against China’s occupation of the West Philippine Sea territories and harvesting of our aquatic resources. She has consistently stood  in defense of human rights and repeatedly criticized Duterte for the thousands of deaths due to his “war on drugs,” red tagging, his misogynist words and actions, and his berating human rights defenders.

VP Robredo as a lawyer and before becoming a politician, was working with non-government organizations that defend the rights of workers, farmers, women, and other marginalized groups. This experience has obviously grounded her in terms of human rights, and the situation and needs of ordinary Filipinos. She uses this grounding in the performance of her work as Vice-President and it shows.The presidential candidate we need is someone who enjoys and will continue to enjoy the goodwill of the international community.

As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc worldwide, countries are experiencing major challenges and the Philippines is among those in the worst situation. In fact, our debt has skyrocketed because of this administration.Because the country’s economy is at its lowest and the pandemic is still ravaging us, the next president’s term will be very difficult.

We will need the help of the international community to be able to fight the pandemic better, pick up the pieces, and start to recover from this devastation. We need to renegotiate our foreign debt and good will is necessary for this. We cannot navigate the future alone.

As of this time, among the possible presidential candidates, it is VP Robredo who enjoys the best standing in the community of nations. She is in a position similar to what Cory Aquino had when she assumed the presidency. At this time, the world needs to recover with each other and the Philippines will need to be actively involved.These are some of the reasons why VP Leni Robredo is the best choice for the presidency.

She can unify the opposition, has been tested and has proven to be capable, consistent, strong, patriotic, democratic, and progressive. She enjoys the goodwill of the international community.Leni Robredo is the president we need so we should all

#ChooseLeni.@bethangsioco on Twitter; Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook