Leni for VP signature campaign to be launched

MANILA, Philippines - Several urban poor communities and leaders from Metro Manila are set to launch on Tuesday a campaign to gather one million signatures to convince Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo to run for vice president in next year’s election.

“We hope this campaign will help convince Rep. Robredo that she is the kind of ‘Matino, Mahusay at May Puso’ leader that many Filipinos are hoping for in our government,” the group said in a statement.

The One Million Signatures campaign will be held at the KABALIKAT office in Baseco, Port Area, Manila. Last month, a movement meant to encourage her to run for vice president was also launched in Quezon City.

Robredo remains firm on her resolve not to seek the vice presidency citing survey results as well as the need to help more of her constituents in the province’s second district.

But the prime movers of the Leni Robredo for VP Movement said the lawmaker possesses all the qualities of a leader since she personally saw how her husband, the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, worked to improve Naga City.

Former and incumbent elected officials of the Kaya Natin Movement, which is composed of concerned Filipinos from different sectors of society aiming to espouse genuine change, ethical leadership, transparency and people empowerment, were behind the launching of the Leni Robredo for VP Movement.

Robredo said she has no plans to run for higher positions.

“They know how I feel about the vice presidency. It is not option for me. There are those who know more about the vice presidency than I do. I am still on my second year as lawmaker,” Robredo added.

She stressed she is a neophyte in the political world and is still learning.

“I am at the level of studying, understanding the world that I am moving in. Those who have been in politics longer than I do, they are the ones who are better qualified for the position,” Robredo also said.

Robredo was earlier reported to be among those being considered by the ruling coalition to become part of its senatorial line-up.