Being the only woman in the vice presidential race is a major advantage for Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo is concerned.
In a speech during yesterday’s Women’s Summit in Mandaue City, Robredo said she may not be as experienced in politics and as well-known as her opponents, but she’s confident she will get the support of women voters.
“Sa mga kumakandidato po ngayon, ako lang po yong congressman, lahat po sila senador . . . Lahat po sila matagal nang mga politiko, ako dalawang taon pa lang na politiko. Pero meron naman akong armas. Ang aking armas po, ako lang ang babae, lahat sila lalaki (Of all the candidates for vice president, I am the only one who is not a senator . . . All of them have been in politics for a long time, while I’ve only been a politician for two years. But I have a weapon. I’m the only woman among them),” said the widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.
About 2,500 women from the 27 barangays attended Mandaue City’s 5th Women’s Summit at the City Sports and Cultural Complex.
Robredo shared her experience working in a non-government organization in Naga City during the time her husband served as mayor. Robredo said she formed a group to educate the urban poor, farmers and women on their rights.
She talked about working in the Public Attorney’s Office, giving free legal aid to women abused by their husbands.
Robredo also helped set up the Naga City Council for Women, which aims to help housewives earn a living on their own. With economic empowerment, Robredo said, women can readily leave abusive husbands.
She said their group also lobbied successfully for the increase of the annual budget allocation for women from five percent to 10 percent.