Former SC spokesman joins lawyers for Robredo run

MANILA, Philippines — Former Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te has joined hundreds of lawyers urging Vice President Leni Robredo to run for president next year.

In a message during the virtual launch of “Lawyers for Leni” yesterday, Te said the Vice President has shown her heart, skill and knowledge in every opportunity given to her to lead.

“This is also what she shows in her day-to-day service despite the lack of budget and clear position in this administration. She does not complain, but instead continuously serves. She is open to criticism and her response to this is good leadership,” he said in Filipino.

Over 300 lawyers have signed a unity statement urging Robredo, a human rights lawyer before joining politics, to run for president.

“As the entire country bears the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, we see how the brazen disregard for the rule of law kills all hope and undermines efforts to save lives and bring our country back on its feet,” it read.

“In these very challenging times, we need a President who understands that the restoration of respect for the rule of law is crucial. We need a President who believes that the rule of law cannot be brushed aside on a whim, or for the sake of expediency. We need a President who values human rights and human lives. We need a President who is for the law, for the country and for the people,” it added.

The group also launched a free online legal assistance program and information desk to show their solidarity with Robredo’s efforts to address various issues.

Labor leaders and members of the LGBT community also launched their respective campaigns to urge Robredo to run for president. Workers from the health care and business process outsourcing sectors will also launch similar initiatives over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Sen. Leila de Lima continues to hope for vindication and freedom as she celebrated her 62nd birthday in detention at Camp Crame on what she always described as trumped-up drug charges filed by the Duterte administration.

“Since my arrest in 2017, I have always hoped that each birthday will be the last in detention, and I have never stopped hoping. Hoping for vindication and freedom, not only for me but for the rest of the Filipino people,” De Lima said in a handwritten statement. – Paolo Romero