Palace elated by Leni’s victory

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang expressed elation yesterday over the election of the administration’s vice presidential candidate, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, saying she was a symbol of what daang matuwid (straight path) was fighting for.

“The victory of Leni Robredo is the victory of a nation that believes and upholds the principles of the straight path. She is the symbol of the strength of the Filipino women in the aspect of leading the country,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over radio dzRB.

In just three days of canvassing, the National Board of Canvassers finished the official tally of votes and declared Robredo as the country’s next vice president. She will replace Jejomar Binay, who ran and lost the presidency to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

While Duterte projected a strongman image during the campaign by saying he would kill all criminals and won overwhelmingly as President Aquino’s successor, the people chose a vice president who seemed to be his foil. Robredo is a human rights lawyer, a one-term congresswoman and a candidate of the administration that was supposedly repudiated with the mayor’s election.

Aquino’s anointed one was Manuel Roxas II, who was a congressman, senator and Cabinet member in various administrations. Before he ran, Roxas was Aquino’s interior and local government secretary. He replaced Robredo’s husband, Jesse, who died in a plane crash in 2012.

Coloma highlighted Robredo’s strong advocacy to alleviate the plight of the poor through programs that would help the government achieve zero hunger, shared prosperity or inclusive growth and gender equality.

Coloma said it could not be denied that a big part of the support that Robredo received came from those who would like to uphold the spirit of the 1986 EDSA people power revolution that paved the way for the country’s vibrant democracy.

“Certainly as the vice president, she will lead in fighting for respect for the (rule of) law to prevail and... against all attempts to suppress the democratic rights of citizens,” Coloma said.

Coloma also hailed the speedy canvassing of votes for the presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Coloma said the questions and anxieties with regard to the vice presidential race were put to an end and that the country could be proud of a more improved automated election.

He said 81 percent of registered voters also turned up at the polls and exercised their freedom to choose their next leaders under a democratic process.

Citing the constitution, Coloma said: “Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.”

He also shared delight with the fact that Robredo’s declaration as winner came during the birth anniversary of her late husband Jesse.

Robredo was Naga City’s first lady for a long time as her husband served there as mayor. She worked as a grassroots lawyer for free, helping the poor and the marginalized with their legal cases. She also turned down a strong draft for her to succeed her husband as Naga City mayor once his three-term limit was over.

Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said that Robredo ran a true “people’s campaign,” which led to a conversion of votes wherever they went during the 90-day campaign period.

Aquino, who also served as campaign manager for Robredo, thanked the supporters of the incoming vice president, who is scheduled to be proclaimed tomorrow.

“My heartfelt congratulations goes to our incoming vice president, Leni Robredo. It has been a true honor serving as her campaign manager and we are very, very thankful to everyone who supported us in the past months,” he said.

According to Aquino, they ran a “humble, heartfelt, efficient and well-organized campaign.”

“It was an authentic campaign with a candidate who continuously converted votes as people got to know her better,” Aquino said.

“We ran a true people’s campaign that, although diverse and multi-faceted, marched in unison towards clear and set periodic objectives that eventually would end up in victory,” he added.

From being a cellar dweller in the early pre-election surveys, Robredo slowly crept up to overtake the perceived frontrunners in the vice presidential race.

“Leni inspired the campaign workers and volunteers to be better, to work harder and to be genuine to her mission of caring for the last, the least and the lost in our society, the laylayan (marginalized) who are so dear to her and to her late husband Jesse,” Aquino said.

“The campaign is done, but the journey for Leni and those who support her is just beginning. Hopefully the indomitable optimism and hope that permeated her campaign will continue and flourish through her governance,” he added.

Honasan greets Leni

Sen. Gregorio Honasan II was among those who congratulated Robredo for her victory following the end of the canvassing of votes at the House of Representatives on Friday night. – With Marvin Sy, Janvic Mateo