VP Leni calls for unity

MANILA, Philippines - Shut out of the presidential inauguration, Vice President Leni Robredo called on Filipinos yesterday to unite and work together so they can achieve greater things.

In an 11-minute speech she delivered in Filipino after being sworn in as vice president, Robredo underscored her openness to work across party lines to uplift the lives of the poor.

“We share the same dreams with our President – to improve the lives of our countrymen, especially those who have been left behind,” said Robredo. Duterte had admitted he would not give any position to Robredo so as to avoid hurting the feelings of his friend, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who lost to Robredo in the vice presidential race.

“The only way for all of us to realize our vision for our nation is to work together,” the 51-year-old former congresswoman said.

“During these times when there seems to be significant divisions and conflict in the world, the challenge is to come together, celebrate our commonalities and differences, and turn them all into strengths,” she said.

Robredo’s oath taking was held at the Quezon City Reception House in New Manila at 9 a.m.

Wearing a recycled dress – an ecru off-shoulder Filipiniana gown by designer Paul Cabral – Robredo took her oath before Ronaldo Coner, village chief of Barangay Punta Tarawal, the “smallest, farthest and poorest” in Camarines Sur.

Robredo had served as representative of the Third District of Camarines Sur for one term.

Coner was accompanied by Regina Celeste San Miguel, who heads Barangay Mariana, where Robredo’s new office is located.

Joining Robredo on stage at her oath taking were her three daughters Aika, Tricia and Jillian. Jillian, her youngest child, held the Bible used in the oath taking.

An emotional Robredo began her speech by recalling some of the most important moments in her life, including the sudden death of her husband Jesse in a plane crash in 2012. It was after his death when she began her venture into politics.

Robredo also acknowledged the ordinary people who had helped in her campaign in their own little way.

“When we were starting, nobody believed that we will win. But because of the help of everyone like Nanay Alberta, who pawned a ring to help us; the Sumilao farmers; the father and his son who tried to reconstruct our torn posters; like most of you who made sacrifices, we were able to succeed,” she said.

“That’s why I’m confident that we will achieve a lot in the next six years. I enjoined everyone who wants to help to come to our office and together we will work to provide our countrymen better lives,” she said.

First 100 days

Robredo said her first 100 days in office would be dedicated to going to far-flung barangays in the country to know about people’s concerns. She said this was an initiative she started in her district in Camarines Sur.

She promised to focus on alleviating hunger, ensuring improvement in healthcare, growth in rural areas, education and people empowerment.

She also expressed hopes of working with the private sector.

Several supporters and allies of Robredo from the Liberal Party attended her inauguration yesterday, including her runningmate in the May 9 polls Manuel Roxas II, outgoing Senate President Franklin Drilon and outgoing Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and daughter Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte.

Robredo’s supporters from the entertainment industry including actress/host Kris Aquino, Dingdong Dantes and wife Marian Rivera, Bea Binene and Enchong Dee, were also spotted at the venue.

Robredo was scheduled to administer the oath taking of the newly elected officials of Imus, Cavite at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel yesterday afternoon.

Hundreds of her supporters gathered last night at the Quezon Memorial Circle for a thanksgiving party held hours after she took her oath of office.

Robredo and members of her family were expected to attend the event, which started shortly before 6 p.m.

At the thanksgiving concert, the Vice President emphasized the importance of strength in numbers. “The fight is not yet over. We are just starting. There will be hurdles but we are already used to that,” she said. 

With Robredo’s proclamation as vice president, it would now be harder for an election protest filed against her by Marcos to prosper.

Elections lawyer Romulo Macalintal said in a statement Marcos’ complaint was not valid to begin with. Marcos, who lost to Robredo in the vice presidential race, claimed her camp resorted to cheating to ensure her victory.

Macalintal said the issues raised by Marcos are not admissible grounds for an election protest before the Supreme Court acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET). 

The lawyer said the tribunal would most likely dismiss the senator’s protest.

He said the alleged flaws in the automatic election system, traditional election complaints like vote-buying, pre-shading of ballots and other irregularities and the introduction by Smartmatic’s Marlon Garcia of a new hash code in the transparency server of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) were issues “not within the jurisdiction of the PET to resolve.” He said it is the Comelec that has jurisdiction over the issues raised by Marcos.  – Edu Punay, Jess Diaz, Janvic Mateo