Connectivity problems notwithstanding, Vice President Leni Robredo powered through the three-hour ‘Panata sa Bayan: The KBP Presidential Forum’, which she considered an important opportunity to speak to the electorate as they prepare to choose the country’s next President in May.
When the candidates were asked to tell the people why they deserve to be the next President, Robredo emphasized that “true leadership is stepping up and showing up.”
It doesn’t matter, she said, whether it is the elections or not, whether they are all candidates or not.
“Bilang Vice President, ipinakita ko ito sa tapat at consistent na serbisyo. Hindi lang sa pangako kundi sa gawa,” Robredo said.
She also addressed criticisms that she cannot be President because she is a woman. However, the Vice President said that she has always addressed crisis situations, leading from the front.
“Madalas akong sinasabihan, ‘mahina ka kasi babae ka,’ pero ni minsan, wala akong hamon na inatrasan. Mapa-Marawi siege man, laban kontra sa droga, mga volcanic eruption, mga lindol, lahat na bagyong dumaan, at COVID. Tuwing tayo ay kinakailangan, tayo’s tumitindig, tumutulong, lumalaban,” Robredo said.
The Vice President said what she offers the Filipino people is a kind of leadership that will ensure a government that is honest, capable, hardworking, and dependable.
“Hindi ka lolokohin, hindi ka nanakawan, hinding hindi ka iiwan o pababayaan. Handang-handa akong harapin ang hamon ng pagiging pangulo. At ngayong 2022, the last man standing will still be a woman,” Robredo said, echoing the power quote she used in the 2016 vice presidential race where she was also the lone female candidate.
The KBP presidential forum was attended by four other candidates: Senator Ping Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Mayor Isko Moreno, and Leody de Guzman. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was a no-show, citing a conflict in schedules. The KBP said preparations for the forum began in December.
The forum was broadcast live over 300 TV networks and radio stations nationwide, with additional global livestreaming services over the internet.
Immediately after the forum, Robredo apologized and owned up to the technical difficulties she and her team encountered. She said she had to use a landline to hear the audio from the TV studio.
“I apologize for the bad connectivity during the forum. The fault is all mine. Our team tried hard to convince me to cancel all other engagements today, pero pinilit ko pa din hanapan ng paraan to fulfill all our commitments, dahil alam kong naghihintay rin yung mga communities na pupuntahan namin para maihatid yung tulong na pabahay bago magstart ang campaign period. Again, our apologies. Maraming lessons learned. We will do better next time,” Robredo said.
