Leni Robredo: Solidarity 'key' to solving country's problems

CEBU, Philippines — Working in solidarity with others is the key towards facing the collective challenges of the nation.

This was the message of former vice president Leni Robredo before 360 University of the Philippines Cebu graduates during their commencement exercise last Friday.

“It bears remembering, that even in these times, when it’s seen that we were

alone, so many invisible hands were at work to empower us, to prop us up, to try to

make our burden lighter,” she said in her speech.

She said that in these trying times, selfishness, the mindset of self-absorption and being greedy, can be the root cause in the abuse of truth and of the rights and dignity of the people.

“Taking and taking from the world, unmindful that in taking more than we need,

we deprive others, and being so ignorant of our interconnectedness that we run

roughshod over the rights and dignities of others,” Robredo said.

She mentioned as examples of selfishness wars between countries, violations of exclusive economic zones of one country by another, and corporations extracting all resources until the planet runs dry.

And as an example of solidarity, she cited the "EDSA People Power Revolution", when she saw her peers and those younger than her raise their voices to fight for freedom.

That, she said, made her fully understand how collective action is possible to fight against the collective challenges of our country.

“This I hope is the most important thing you carry forward from your UP education.... Serve the people....it is ultimately an expression of our character as a university,” Robredo siad..

She congratulated the graduates for emerging victories over the challenges to their education, like the pandemic.

“Nakahinumdom ka adtong pandemic? Nakaya nato to. Nakaya nimo. You will remember the struggles, the triumphs, and more importantly the how, not alone but through the support and solidarity of others,” she said.

“All of you today,...you pulled yourselves together and gritted your teeth and did what needed to be done. And this is something you must be very proud of,” she said.

As her final message, she told the graduates to never forget expressing gratitude to their parents, support systems and friends, and their teachers. — CNU Intern/RHM (FREEMAN)