Leni: “Full Faith in God and in the Filipino People”

“Buong-buo pa rin ang pananalig ko sa Diyos at sambayanang Pilipino,” a very calm/confident VP Leni publicly declared last October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

A very prayerful person, VP Leni went through a lengthy, solemn period of discernment before she finally announced, in straight Filipino language, the following important messages:

“I am a mother who sees the suffering of my beloved country. I firmly believe: Love is not measured by forbearance alone but by a readiness to do battle. Whoever loves must do battle for the beloved. Today, I stand with full resolve: We must free ourselves from the current situation.            I will fight. We will fight!”

Then, her most awaited announcement: “Inihahain ko ang aking sarili bilang kandidato sa pagkapangulo sa halalan ng 2022 (I offer myself as a candidate for the presidency in the 2022 elections)”.

VP Leni shared that, within her discernment period, it was clear to her that: “There was no room for ego or self-interest in this process. The presidency is an enormous responsibility and a decision whether to run for president or not cannot be based on ambition or outside prodding. When it comes to leadership, there should only be one consideration: what is best for our country?”

While in discernment, she proceeded to consult many, clear that every consultation was “not about positions not a mere transaction, the important thing is to unite, to align along principles, along our shared dreams for the country, and the path that must be taken to achieve these as at stake are the lives and the future of the Filipino. And if we truly want to liberate ourselves, we should change not just the surnames of those in power; the corruption, the incompetence, the lack of compassion must be replaced by competence and integrity in leadership.”

Before all, she vowed: “To pour all of my strength, not just until the elections but for the rest of my days, to the fight for the Philippines of our dreams – a society where every Filipino who toils can be assured of comfort and progress; where someone will catch you and help you up each time you fall. Where plans for education, transportation, food security, health, and social justice are concretized because government is competent and has integrity; because government is honest and accountable; because government truly puts the interest of the Filipino people front and center.”

And this call to choose, fight, and step forward.

“The future is something we choose, something we work for, something we fight for. We have to choose to step forward.”

Her declaration:

“Here I am today, taking that step forward. I will fight for you all until the very end. I will put everything on the line; I will give everything I have to give. Let's place our stakes on this fight together. Let's move as a country towards a future that is more just and humane. I trust without any doubt: We will be victorious.”

Pink, her campaign color, is poetic, spiritual, uplifting.

Pink is the color of dawn --when Resurrection was consummated.

Pink is the color of spring --its light/brightness, its new beginning replacing the cold, dreaded winter.

Pink or rose in Advent represents joy/rejoicing, a shift away from repentance and toward celebration.

“The eagle does not fight the snake on the ground (where it is powerful, wise and deadly). It picks it up into the sky and changes the battle ground, and then it releases the snake into the sky.”

Let us, like the eagle, prayerfully lift our #LetLeniLead campaign and allow God to take control and guide us. And in this battle, may God be glorified!