What can we say about the Philippines socio-political state right now that hasn’t been said? Our government is the gif from Community where everything is on fire. Filipino journalism’s current state of press freedom is in question, our president’s war on drugs remains morally gray, and our senate head knows little to none about politics in general. It’s our usual weekday truth pill. But this Tuesday, our politics take a turn when our Vice President Leni Robredo declares to put out that metaphorical fire herself.
Our Vice President declared in today’s press briefing that she has accepted the call of several groups for her to lead the opposition. Opposition against who? None other than our controversial “Duterte Harry,” President Rodrigo Duterte. Vice President Robredo has been known for criticizing some of Duterte’s policies during these past two years. Only now did she made it official by leading the opposition after meeting last week with the opposing groups.
Obligasyon natin lahat na sumalungat kung kailangang sumalungat.
In the meeting, she agreed among the parties present that she will lead the opposition. Magdalo, Tindig Pilipinas, and the Liberal Party (LP) which the Vice President is chairperson, were in attendance. In the press briefing, she voiced out that it’s everyone’s obligation for their voices to be heard when there’s injustice.
“Maraming kababayan ang nagsasabi sa atin na kailangan ng leader at parati kong sinasabi ‘yung sa atin, obligasyon natin lahat, ‘di ba? Obligasyon nating lahat na ipaabot ‘yung saloobin natin. Obligasyon natin lahat na sumalungat kung kailangang sumalungat,” said Robredo.
(A lot of our countrymen are saying they need a leader, but I have also been saying it is all our obligation to express what we feel. It is all our obligation to oppose what needs to be opposed.)
It is becoming apparent mas malakas ‘yung loob ng ibang magboses ‘pag merong sinasandalan na grupo na pareho ‘yung paniniwala sa kanya.
The new opposition led by Robredo still remains nameless. It is revealed that this opposing party will run for next year’s Senatorial elections. A big question remains unanswered. We can’t help but wonder, from the two years that Duterte’s administration ran, why would she oppose now? “It is becoming apparent mas malakas ‘yung loob ng ibang magboses ‘pag merong sinasandalan na grupo na pareho ‘yung paniniwala sa kanya. At ‘yun ‘yong role ko na pag-isahin ‘yung boses na ‘yon,” she said.
Filipinos often sees the government in two shades —pula (red) o dilawan (yellow.) But what the nation needs right now are not these colors. Our Vice President is the first one in power to officially take this step to change. It’s about time others follow. In this state of crises, with a dead body count over our heads, there must be an action. Putting political biases aside, this marks a twist of events that our nation is in dire need of.
Photo from Philippine American Inquirer
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