Calling the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Sen. Francisco “Kiko” Pangilinan as “heaven-sent,” former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. has emerged from retirement to endorse them in the coming elections.
In enticing voters to support Robredo and Pangilinan, Davide said: “Only this tandem of Leni-Kiko can fulfill our hopes, dreams and aspirations for a truly great Philippines and for a happy and prosperous people.”
Meanwhile, Sorsogon Gov. and senatorial bet Francis “Chiz” Escudero welcomed Vice President Robredo on her second day of campaigning in the province.
She also toured Camarines Norte’s capital of Daet and told voters there to be careful in their discernment in choosing their candidates.
“Only this tandem of Leni-Kiko has a vision for our country or has presented to the people doable and achievable programs of government within their term of six years that would lift up our country and our people from years of stagnation and decay because of corruption and greed, incompetence, poor governance, and failure of accountability,” Davide said in his open letter to Filipinos.
He said the people would enjoy the blessings of truth, justice, love, equality, and peace under a truly free and democratic government where the rule of law will always prevail.
“These are the vision of the sovereign Filipino people in the Preamble of our Constitution,” said the 86-year-old retired magistrate.
“Thus, I would not hesitate to say that the Leni-Kiko tandem is heaven-sent. Yes, heaven-sent.”
Davide, who has spent 41 years in public service in various elective or appointive positions, said it would be to the best interest of the Filipinos to elect Robredo and Pangilinan as the next president and vice president, respectively.
“This Leni-Kiko tandem is to me the best ever tandem for President and Vice President in our history since the first time I exercised my right to vote, after reaching the age of majority. That was in the Presidential election of 1957,” he said.
“Combined, of the candidates for President only Leni, and of the candidates for Vice President, only Kiko, possess the spiritual, intellectual, ethical moral, and social values and virtues demanded of an authentic public servant or servant- leader,” he added.
Davide said that in the private and public lives of Robredo and Pangilinan, they have shown loyalty to their oath and have unselfishly served the people.
“These were not difficult for them to do, for the totality of these values and virtues are even built into their names,” he said.
Davide crafted an acronym for Leni, which he said refers to L for Living, E for Example or Embodiment, N for Nobility, and I for Integrity.
For Pangilinan, he said K aptly stands for Kindheartedness, I for Inspiring model of genuine leadership, K for Killer of grafters and corruptors in the government service, and O for Outstanding servant-leader.
“I fervently pray to the Heavenly Father through our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Good Shepherd and in union with the Holy Spirit that we will be united in voting for Leni as President and Kiko for Vice President in the May 9 elections. They alone truly deserve to be so elected,” Davide said.
“We get frustrated once the candidates that we chose are elected but have not delivered any change even if they are empowered to do so. When I say it (future) is in our hands, this means the 2022 election is already our chance to be able to choose those who would really serve the people,” Robredo said in Daet.
“That’s why we should have already learned (from our experience). Let us not allow those who have not brought change. Many would make promises but to whom do we believe in?” she asked.
The presidential bet said she is hoping that politics in the province would not be a reason for divisiveness.
Pangilinan and their senatorial slate also joined a series of campaign tours in Labo town.
