Robredo-Pangilinan holds thanksgiving event, announces launching of Angat Buhay NGO

Less than a week after the elections, presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan held their thanksgiving event at the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, on Friday, May 13.

Thousands of Kakampinks gathered for the event dubbed “Tayo Ang Liwanag: Isang Pasasalamat” to extend the tandem’s gratitude for the volunteers and supporters who have been with them throughout the campaign period, along with the celebrities and artists who have endorsed them.

She addressed her supporters, who were collectively mourning the partial and unofficial poll results.

“Meron pa din bang umiiyak? Happy na dapat!” she said.

Robredo and Pangilinan are only second to frontrunners former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

The Vice President said that there needs to be a continuity to the essence of their campaign and a movement that will champion for the truth.

Robredo indirectly took a hit at Marcos saying, “Dekadang prinoyekto, matindi at malawak ang makinarya ang kayang magpalaganap ng kasinungalingan. Ninakaw ang katotohanan, kaya ninakaw din ang kasaysayan, pati na ang kinabukasan.”

She then announced the launching of the Angat Buhay NGO (non-governmental organization), derived from her flagship program of the same name in fighting poverty as vice president, on July 1, once she stepped down from office.

“Bubuoin natin ang pinakamalawak na volunteer network sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa. Tuloy tayo sa pagtungo sa mga nasa laylayan, at sa pag-ambagan para umangat sila. Pero hindi tayo mamimili ng tutulungan; wala tayong tatalikuran. Ipapakita natin ang buong puwersa ng radikal na pagmamahal,” Robredo said.

Meanwhile, Pangilinan implied that he has set his eyes on the 2025 midterm elections.

“We did not get this far just to go this far. At sa usaping long game, in two and a half years, deadline na ng filing sa susunod na halalan sa 2025. Dapat maghanda na tayo,” he said.

There was still no direct concession from the pair but Robredo urged them to accept the outcome of the election while remaining organized to continue their efforts in lifting the lives of the marginalized.

“Sa inyong lahat, maraming, maraming salamat. Nag-uumapaw po ang puso namin sa pasasalamat dahil sa inyong pagmamahal at suporta. Pero ngayon, excited ako. Excited akong ituloy ang pagsisikap kasama kayo. At sinasabi ko sa inyong lahat: Tuloy ang pag-asa. May liwanag pa rin,” she said.