She may be struggling to find her role in the Duterte administration but Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo is confident of having six fruitful years as the second highest official of the land.
“Kapag naninindigan tayo para sa mga pinaniniwalaan natin, kapag handa nating pagsakripisyuhan ang ating mga layunin, ang imposible ay kinakayang gawing possible,” Robredo said during her inauguration speech at the Quezon City Reception House in New Manila, Quezon City yesterday.
“Kaya buo ang loob ko na marami tayong magagawa sa anim na taon,” said the former Camarines Sur solon who wore a “recycled” Filipiniana on the biggest day of her life.
The 52-year-old Robredo, who shot to political fame following the tragic death of her husband Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo in a 2012 plane crash, vowed to have an office that is open to everyone.
“Bukas ang pintuan ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo sa lahat – anuman ang katayuan sa buhay, paniniwala, o partido,” said the Liberal Party member.
“Inaaya ko kayong lahat na nais tumulong na magtungo sa ating tanggapan para sabay tayong mangarap at kumilos para mabigyan natin ng mas magandang buhay ang ating mga kababayan.”
Robredo was sworn in by two barangay captains – Ronaldo Coner and Regina Celeste San Miguel – from Camarines Sur and Quezon City, witnessed by her three daughters, Aika, Tricia, and Jillian, and around 500 guests. Jillian, the youngest, held up the bible.
In a break from tradition, Robredo took her oath separate from President Duterte who had his at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang.
Robredo, in her 10-minute speech, said she plans to bring the OVP “closer to the people.”
“Sa unang isandaang araw, plano nating magtungo sa malalayo at maliliit na barangay sa bansa, upang alamin ang mga bagay na nais niyong matugunan. Ito ang sinimulan na nating gawin sa ating distrito sa lalawigan ng Camarines Sur,” she said.
“Umaasa tayo na sa pagdala natin sa Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo sa inyong mga barangay, mas mararamdaman ninyo na totoong nariyan ang pamahalaan para sa inyo,” she said.
According to Robredo, she will focus on the problems of hunger and food production, health for all, rural development, education, and people empowerment. (ELLSON A. QUISMORIO)
