Antiqueños’ handwritten messages catch VP Leni’s attention at sectoral assembly
At the sectoral assembly of the Robredo People’s Council (RPC) held at the Antique Plaza last February 16, one particular placard caught the attention of Vice President Leni Robredo because of its poignancy for Antiqueños.
From the crowd, a pink cartolina with these handwritten words stood out, borrowing a popular line from the hit musical, “Hamilton”.
“In EBJ Freedom Park, Evelio Javier was shot while safeguarding our votes to restore democracy. In EBJ Freedom Park, Leni Robredo stands to ensure that democracy stays alive for years to come… This is not a moment, it is a movement.”
Javier was a former governor of Antique, the youngest governor ever elected in the country’s history. He was a critic of the Marcos regime and was killed while protecting the votes in February 1986, two weeks before the EDSA People Power Revolution, in the same plaza where Robredo spoke.
Robredo read the statement and said:
“Dapat po ‘yung mga aral ni Evelio Javier nasa puso, hindi lang ng bawat taga-Antique pero ng bawat Pilipino. Na pag napapa-punta sa masama ‘yung agos– kahit pa napakatindi ng agos, ang nagiging bayani nagpipili na kahit mahirap, tumatayo lagi sa tama. Kaya ito po, isang malaking karangalan na nandito ako sa harap ninyo ngayon kahit napaka-init. Dahil ito ‘yung bayan ng mga bayani. Bayan na nagbigay sa atin ng madaming aral na kailangan po natin matutunan,” Robredo said.
There were several other handwritten placards that Robredo read.
One said: “Doon tayo sa may conviction, hindi sa convicted.” Robredo believes in the importance of a clean and honest government in achieving true progress.
She read another emphasizing the importance of education, with which she completely agreed, stating that a good education leads to a better future.
“Kahit sobrang hirap ang pinagdaanan ay talagang sinubukang matapos kasi ito ‘yung susi para maiahon ang mga pamilya natin sa kahirapan,” Robredo said.
She added: “Ang edukasyon po isa sa mga tututukan natin na mga sektor. Kailangan na po tayo mag-gawa ng something revolutionary dahil ang quality ng education natin ay talagang mababa na.”
After Robredo read the messages, she told her Antiqueño supporters that the May 9 elections is more than just choosing the candidate they want; it is also about deciding what kind of future they want for our country.
“Ang eleksyon pong ito, hindi lang po pinagpipilian natin kung sino sa mga kandidato ang gusto natin, pero ang eleksyon na ito pipiliin natin kung anong klaseng daan ang gusto nating tahakin ng pamahalaan natin sa susunod na anim na taon.” Robredo explained.
Antique was Robredo’s final stop on her two-day barnstorm in the Panay Island. (VP Leni Media Bureau)
