Former FVR execs back Robredo for president

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-three former Cabinet members and senior officials during the administration of former president Fidel Ramos have expressed support to the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.

In a joint statement, the former officials said Robredo is the only presidential candidate who can lead the country “into the positive path to the unified, humane, just, progressive, economically vibrant, sustainable and equitable society that is the dream of every Filipino.”

They stressed the need for a leader who will inspire unity, solidarity and teamwork, empower people and bring out the best of servant leadership in government officials by being the foremost example of integrity, dedication, professionalism, level-headedness, statesmanship, pursuit of excellence, hard work, and true caring and sharing for fellow Filipinos.

“We see the 2022 national elections as a critical crossroads for the country, especially as it emerges from the deep scars inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and society,” read their statement.

“We believe that Vice President Leni Robredo is the only presidential candidate who possesses the above-described qualities, and who can credibly lead us Filipinos closer towards that dream,” it added.

Robredo said she is humbled by the support of the former officials, adding that she looks up to the leadership Ramos espoused during his administration.

“Many say that FVR had one of the best pool of Cabinet secretaries in recent years. Honored by the faith you have placed upon me, Sirs and Ma’ams. You can count on me that I will always strive to be worthy of the trust that you and our fellow Filipinos have given me,” she added in a mix of English and Filipino.

In their statement, the former Cabinet members and senior officials also expressed grave concern that the emerging campaign for the upcoming elections is being compromised by the proliferation of misinformation, dubious promises and outright falsehoods and deliberate thought manipulation on social media.

They also cited misuse of certain polls and surveys that may not necessarily reflect and represent true voter preferences and the continued patronage and money politics that divert people from electing principled leaders.

The statement was signed by former environment secretaries Angel Alcala and Victor Ramos, former labor secretaries Nieves Confesor and Jose Brillantes, former tourism secretaries Vicente Carlos and Narzalina Lim, Senate minority leader and former justice secretary Franklin Drilon, former finance secretary Ramon del Rosario Jr., former agrarian reform secretary Ernest Garilao, former socio-economic planning secretary Cielito Habito, former health secretaries Jaime Galvez Tan and Carmencita Reodica, former social welfare secretary Lina Laigo, former energy secretary Delfin Lazaro and former foreign affairs secretary Roberto Romulo.

Other signatories include former National Statistics Office administrator Tomas Africa, former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) deputy director general Dante Canlas, former presidential assistant Benjamin de Leon, former finance undersecretary Milwida Guevara, former Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Ester Garcia, former National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women chairperson Patricia Licuanan and former environment undersecretary Ben Malayang III.

Canlas also served as NEDA director-general during the Arroyo administration, while Licuanan served as CHED chairperson from 2014 during the second Aquino administration until her resignation in 2018 under the current Duterte presidency.