In Comelec debate, Robredo holds on to hope for Pinoys (Sabong News)

A mother will bring light to the Filipino nation this coming May elections. This was the closing statement of Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday, April 3, during the second presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City. “Pag-asa ang nagtutulak sa atin para makita natin na ngayon lumiliwanag na, ngayon liliwanag pa. At ngayong darating na halalan, ang tatanglaw sa buong bayan, ilaw ng tahanan (Hope is what pushes us to see that today it’s getting clear, today it will get clearer, and in the coming election, a mother will be the light of the whole nation),” she said. “Ilaw ng tahanan” is a term used in Filipino culture to refer to a mother in a household. Robredo said it’s hope that has brought Filipinos, particularly her supporters or kakampinks, to go out of their way to attend rallies despite being stopped, to spend their own money on her campaign, and to knock on doors to invite more people to join their cause. “Ang dahilan ng lahat ng ito, pag-asa. Pag-asa ‘yung tumutulak sa atin na mangarap na sa dulo ng kadiliman ay may kaliwanagan (The reasons for all these is hope. Hope is what pushes us to dream that at the end of darkness is light),” she added. The lone female presidential bet stressed that Filipinos’ strength and resiliency do not come from money and machinery. Rather, it comes from “unity,” a term heavily used by survey frontrunner and Robredo’s rival, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who did not attend the presidential debate organized by the poll body. She herself was a witness to this unity, she said, citing as examples the everyday Juan who works hard to achieve his dreams and the way Filipinos help each other during crisis. The debate lasted for almost three hours and touched on topics such as foreign relations, peace and security, renewable sources of energy, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) concerns, and human rights.