Leni Robredo’s atypical political machinery

There are many historical moments in Philippine history when change happened, bringing about significant consequences to the country. The May 9 elections appear to be a moment that would bring sea change, a transformation so profound it is beyond human scripting.

Such moments in history were the Cry of Balintawak which started the Philippine revolution; the publication of Rizal’s novels which awakened and aroused the people to the tyranny and oppression of the Spanish rule; the Quezon and Osmeña fight for independence.

There were also many changes that were forthcoming but did not materialize, like the move towards agrarian reform by Ramon Magsaysay. There were drastic changes, which instead of improving the conditions for the people, worsened it. There was the Laurel-Langley Agreement which instituted the sugar quota which further entrenched the political power of the landed aristocracy and made the sugar quota system an opportunity to legalize corruption.

There were also the unfinished, incomplete changes like the move towards agrarian reform.

These are desperate times and there are many signs or manifestations that can be found. There are deep or serious problems in our country, like the extent of poverty. One does not need to look far for these are evident under the bridges of Manila, along the esteros and even on the sidewalks where the poor try to survive from day to day, where those nooks and crannies have become home to them.

This desperation is not only evident in the lower classes, but lamentably also with the middle classes. Nearly 10 million Filipino citizens have decided it would be better to be American, Canadian or any other nationality rather than to stay Filipino. These are not desperate refugees but well-educated Filipinos.  We are losing manpower which this country desperately needs to improve its economy and society.

Leadership is one of the biggest changes this country needs, not just in the leaders we have but in the kind or type of leader.

Leadership is very critical because we are a tribal society and we have the tendency to follow our leader. This is not just a Filipino trait. Even the United States is a clear example of tribalism. If you look at the US, its politics is divided like tribes:  African American, Hispanic American, liberals, conservatives. Trump followers.

If we are to introduce real change in the Philippines, we need a real change in the type of leaders we have. The election on May 9 offers us an opportunity to choose leaders who will truly serve the citizens, especially the underprivileged who deserve a better quality of life in the country.

In looking for servant-leaders, only one presidential candidate comes to mind: Leni Robredo. She did not have an easy time as our Vice President, with every obstacle put in her way – yet, with her limited government budget, continued to attend to people’s needs during the pandemic and with every natural disaster that frequently occurs in our disaster-prone country.

Robredo has become the atypical presidential candidate, inspiring her followers to run the campaign for her themselves. How to explain why they go to the extent of tirelessly organizing their own house-to-house groups, using their own resources for ballers, komiks, pamphlets, fans, tarps, arm sleeves, masks, all in the pink-mint green campaign colors of Robredo-Pangilinan. They are enthusiastic and shameless in asking sympathizers for donations in cash or in kind.

Where does the strong spirit of volunteerism come from? Louie Montalbo, associate dean at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and founding faculty of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, points out that the 2022 Philippine election is much more than a fight between Leni Robredo and her opponent. It is showing a political campaign never experienced before, hopefully foreshadowing a major change in Philippine politics, traditionally exclusively monopolized by a handful of families and clans who pass on their elected positions to their descendants as a seeming birthright.

But comes now a response from the citizenry for a presidential candidate that is nothing short of heartwarming but absolutely threatening for traditional politicians.

They gather in thousands on rally dates set by organizers. They do not ask for anything, providing for their own needs – water, food, medicine – with more to share with everyone else. Truly, they are sincere and honest when they proudly scream out in Filipino that they are not paid.

Talents compose songs, produce videos, perform on stage with no talent fee, never asking the candidate they are supporting for anything in return. Walls and fences have been transformed into attractive murals, all done voluntarily. A community does one mural and it catches on.

Among the artists who have contributed much to the Robredo-Pangilinan campaign is illustrator Robert Alejandro, who has produced countless illustrations, offering them free of charge, with no need for anyone to seek his permission for use.  There are also the celebrities and influencers who campaign out of their own volition, offering their talent and time as their own contribution to the campaign.

Robredo has proven that she is a leader that inspires, for how to explain this energy she has “unleashed from the ordinary Filipino, especially the Filipino youth.”

The Filipino voter has discovered that a political campaign can run without any help from the traditional leaders.

Montalbo concludes that the May 9 elections will show where “the power truly belongs.”

May these words come to fruition then.

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