Leni Robredo concluded her volunteer-driven campaign for the presidency late Saturday, telling hundreds of thousands that "nothing is impossible" in the fight to uplift millions from the margins.
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., whom Robredo beat for the vice presidency in 2016, is leading in pre-election polls while the only woman candidate to succeed incumbent Rodrigo Duterte is hoping to overtake him with house-to-house campaigns and massive street rallies.
Robredo said that when she announced her candidacy in October 2021, she could count the members of the audience and months later, the crowds in her rallies had swelled to record numbers.
"Karapatan nating magkaroon ng kinabukasang may dignidad at tungkulin nating ipaglaban ito. Natutunan natin, walang imposible," the vice president told the crowd in Makati City, estimated at 750,000.
"Ipagdiwang natin ngayong gabi ang isang makasaysayang kampanya. Kaya't tara na, ipanalo na natin ang sambayanang Pilipino. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat," she said.
“Palayain ang sarili sa duda at pangamba, maniwala na sa dulo ng pawis at sakripisyo may tagumpay na nag-aabang, gawing payapa at tahimik ang puso,” she said.
EXPLAINERS:
Inside Youth Volunteers' Fight for Leni-Kiko, 'It's Now or Never'
Win or Lose, Stripped of Fake News, This is Leni According to Real People
Robredo said the 90-day campaign yielded many lessons. "Natutuhan natin laging mas radikal ang magmahal, ang pagbaklas sa bulok na sistema, nagsisimula sa pagtigil ng bangayan, sa pagbibigay halaga sa isat-isa. Ang tunay na paig-ibig, niyayakap ang lahat, lumalabas sa nakasanayan, walang iniiwan," she said.
"Kayong lahat ay patunay, hindi lahat natutulog ngayong sinusulat ang kasaysayan," she said.
"Noong Oktubre tinawag ko kayong gisingin ang inyong lakas at tumugon kayo. Ngayong gabi, buong pagmamalaki nating masasabi: Nandito ako, kasama ako, tumataya ako," she said.
The only son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. has dodged serious questioning on documented cases of corruption and human rights violations under his father's rule, instead touting "unity" and a return to the Philippines "golden age" that is being echoed on social media by his supporters.
Robredo entered the campaign as the number one victim of fake news according to Fact Check PH, with Marcos as the top beneficiary.
"Sinabayan nyo akong ipaglaban ang ating bansa. Simula pa lang, mulat na tayo. Ang laban na ito, hindi tungkol sa isang kandidato, behikulo lang ako sa pagiisip na sumasaklaw sa bawat Pilipino," she said.
ALSO READ:
Fighting for 'Soul of a Nation', Pangilinan Hopes Last Man Standing is a Farmer
Sharon Cuneta Ponders Second Lady Role, Says Don't Call Her 'Feeling'
Darna Stars, Miss Universe for Leni Tell Voters They Have the Power