Leni outlines agenda as vice president

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo Thursday outlined her priorities  in her six-year term: addressing hunger and food security, universal health care, rural development, education and people empowerment.

 

Consistent with her campaign theme, Robredo said her vice presidency is an opportunity to include those in the periphery in the journey towards development.

 

"Nagpapasalamat akong kasama ko kayo sa oras na ito. Kayong nagbigay ng inyong tiwala at umako ng ating laban bilang laban niyo rin. Samahan ninyo ulit ako sa aking bagong paglalakbay," she said.

 

Robredo said she embraces the responsibility with humility, gratitude and perseverance.

 

"Sa isang katulad nating nakikipagpulong sa riles ng tren, natutulog sa bangka at sumasakay sa habal-habal para maabot ang ating mga pinaglilingkuran, ito ay isang malaking biyaya para lalo pang makapaglingkod," she said.

 

Prior to becoming vice president, Robredo was the representative of the third district of Camarines Sur. She also lawyered for marginalized sectors as a member of an alternative lawyering organization.

Robredo said President Rodrigo Duterte's dreams for the country is aligned with hers — to improve the lives of Filipinos, especially the poor.

 

In her first 100 days, Robredo said she would go to far-flung barangays to find out what issues they want addressed. The first barangays she would visit are those located in her district in Camarines Sur, where she was born, and studied and was enlightened about social realities.

 

"Umaasa tayo na sa pagdala natin sa Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo sa inyong mga barangay, mas mararamdaman ninyo na totoong nariyan ang pamahalaan para sa inyo," she said.

 

Robredo also highlighted the importance of unity to serve the people, highlighting that through it a lot could be accomplished in six years.

 

"Ang tanging paraan para matupad ang hangaring ito para sa ating bansa ay ang sama-samang pagkilos... Bukas ang pintuan ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo sa lahat – anuman ang katayuan sa buhay, paniniwala, o partido."

 

Duterte did not give a Cabinet position to Robredo saying that it might hurt his alliance with Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was her rival in the vice presidential race and who has formally alleged that he was cheated in the May elections. The Constitution states that the vice president may be appointed to the Cabinet but does not require that.

 

"Anumang pagbabago sa ating bayan ay nagsisimula sa pagpupursigi ng bawat Pilipino. At kapag nagkaisa tayo, walang imposible. Sabi nga ni Jesse nuong siya ay nabubuhay pa: 'What brings us together as a nation is far more powerful than what pulls us apart,'" she said referring to her late husband former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. 

 

Two barangay captains, one of whom heads the poorest barangay in Robredo's home district, administered the oath at the Quezon City Reception House.