#LabanLeni

Leni Robredo is an example of how our country's leaders should be like. Amidst the confusion on who to vote as our president, senators, and local officials, I am happy to cast my one vote for her. Let me tell you why in the next paragraphs.

She has immersed herself in the grassroots level and she knows the plight of the marginalized -- the poor, the farmers, the elderly, the women, and the children. As a lawyer, she has defended their causes pro-bono. They made their own brand of "tsinelas leadership" along with her late husband, Jesse Robredo. This is definitely an important factor, because this kind of leader will not make decisions from her figurative castle with her high hat. She knows about what is out there, and will most likely make concrete, realistic programs for the people. Whenever I listen to aspiring public servants, I always ask; "will the Filipino people win when he or she wins?" With Leni, I can sincerely say yes. 

The Sumilao Farmers, for example, who marched their way from Bukidnon to Manila to express their support for Leni. We always hear about the farmers marching to ask for the lands that they worked on with their blood, sweat, and tears. Yet, now, they march in solidarity with Leni's candidacy. 

In terms of experience, it is not exactly the number of years or previous government positions that I am looking for. Rather, it is the quality of service rendered, given the position. As a congresswoman of Naga for 3 years, she was able to co-author 200+ bills and pass 14 noteworthy laws (look it up). Mind, that it is a congressman's role as part of the legislative body to create laws that will push for equality, service, and genuine change in the country. 

(Side note: it would be a good exercise to check your local congressman's performance also. No, their charitable works do not really count for much because they do not need the congressman position for that.)

I appreciate Robredo's calm demeanor and her humility in her campaign and during debates. She is not an apologist of the yellow administration, unlike her running mate, Mar Roxas. She is able to recognize poverty as the root of problems and is working towards solving or at least mitigating that. Case in point: Kidapawan Rally -- while Roxas blamed the NPA for staging the said rally and while PNoy kept mum about it, Leni said that the problem stems forth from hunger and the oppression of farmers. Notice also that she is her own person during the VP debates. While others are hurling stones towards each other (arguably necessary but at times derailing from discussion), she talked about what she has done so far and what she can do. She never mentioned "Daang Matuwid" and her late husband's name -- which will only be interpreted in my mind as argumentum ad verecundiam and ad misericordiam (appeal to authority and to feelings, respectively). I believe that we need someone who can stand her ground and keep the interest of the people in her heart and mind, should the president make questionable decisions and should there be political unrest brought about by a Duterte/Poe/Roxas/Binay/MDS presidency.

The indecisiveness on who to vote for president is back because of the crass rape joke of Duterte that exposed the gang-like, misogynistic mentality that he is now creating. Yet, I believe that Robredo is the rightful VP of whoever wins as president. 

As for Alan Peter Cayetano, I think that he is best suited as senator (for now, at least). He still has remaining years down the line and we need him as legislator more than as vice-president.

At times, I give out an exasperated sigh and ask; "is there hope for our country?" It is people like Leni Robredo who make me believe that our hope may be bleak but it is still here. As citizens of this country, we need to do our part, examine issues critically, and contribute to nation building. It takes a two-way path to and from the grassroots to effect change.

If there is an ideal worthy of continuity, it is "tsinelas leadership."