Fifth in a series
Let her change her hues. After all, no one is permanently committed to a choice of color. Flaky as it may seem, Vice President Leni Robredo surprised many with her new shade of PINK, or “Kalimbahin”in Filipino. There was no semblance of her previous political affiliation (yellow) in her attire when she filed her candidacy for President as she wore a blue ribbon against a dominant pink outfit. Yellow no more, perhaps trying to avoid the shortcomings and fading brand of the erstwhile ruling Liberal Party.
Apparently, this move is comparable to a wave “breaking upon the idle seashores of the mind”, to borrow the lines of American Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. What a revolutionary breaking, seen from Cebu to Cabanatuan, from Iloilo to Bicol, and even in the streets of Davao, as depicted in caravans of pink-wearing supporters. Kakampink (allies in pink) rallied behind the VP’s quest to restore decency and good governance in the Palace.
Maria Leonor “Leni” Gerona Robredo should no longer be considered just as the lawyer from Naga City, Bicol or just the widow of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. She had gone past those stages of being a lawyer, a widow, and a legislator! Being the Vice President should have easily qualified her as Presidentiable, as she may have undergone some kind of on the job training as compared to her competitors whose experience are limited to legislative affairs (Pacquiao) or gubernatorial/mayoralty experiences (Marcos and Moreno). To me, she is a servant leader who has unwittingly exceeded her venerable husband’s accomplishments.
Based on her heartfelt speech after filing her Certificate of Candidacy, I saw much purity in her intentions to do her very best for the country! As her basket of achievements as VP is already filled to the brim, one can expect so much more if she will be given the power of a President. Her flagship social programs like Áhon Laylayan Koalisyon, Angat Buhay, Istorya ng Pag Asa, and BISErbisyong Level Up will most likely continue and exponentially increase as the resources of a President are way more than a VP. More underprivileged citizens will be fed; more jobs and opportunities might be created. She has shown much promise as the second highest executive in the land!
However, VP Leni, owing to her human rights background, can be seen as soft when it comes to matters where audacious action is critically required, as in the case of dealing with communist insurgents, Abu Sayaff extremists, and ruthless drug syndicates. Some of my former colleagues in the military profession anticipate that VP Leni might do what former President Cory Aquino did decades ago. Military unrest was at its highest as President Cory released from detention most if not all communist terrorists! Look how CPP leader Joma Sison has been calling the shots in this longest insurgency in the world—sitting comfortably in asylum from the Netherlands. This perception of softness may well be VP Leni’s Achilles heel. She may not have the boldness to combat enemies of the state, drug lords included. Further, her strong anti-Chinese position has turned off a few members of the Filipino-Chinese community. While VP Leni has maintained a position grounded on sovereignty and territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea, I still believe that a reasonable compromise, without discarding the arbitral award, can positively contribute to international comity.
Her avid spirit as an activist and a human rights crusader can outweigh her supposed “soft and humane” persona. After all, VP Leni has mustered the courage to protest the current administration’s bloody drug crackdown, which led to an investigation by the International Criminal Court.
VP Leni has remained unperturbed by the ostracized treatment from the current administration and was wise enough to work on her own by raising funds from humble sources to finance her projects. Explaining the shift from the color yellow to pink, VP Leni has claimed that our fight is now bigger than before. She is actually fixated to fight, not only against the “return of the dictator’s son”, but also against bad governance, which is purportedly the root of all problems. Calling it a “rotten kind of politics”, VP Leni’s stance appears to be strong yet diplomatic, and demonstrably, her speech is decent and her behavior is very much refined compared with the others.
I find nothing vile, nothing dishonorable in her words and actions as they all showed courage, wisdom, and diplomacy. In fact, VP Leni somewhat displays the admirable characteristics of the Biblical Abigail, King David’s wife. In the book of 1 Samuel 25: 14-42, we meet Abigail married to a rather atrocious man, Nabal, who refused to provide David and his men with food and shelter. Instead of helping, Nabal heaves insults at David. To prevent a possible disaster from coming down to their household, Abigail sends loads of food to David and asks him not to do anything rash in response to Nabal’s actions. David granted her request; Nabal dies at the hands of the Lord a few days later, and David marries Abigail. Such story reminds us that a woman (or a man) of God, like Abigail or VP Leni, can be courageous, wise and diplomatic.
Courage, wisdom, and diplomacy comprise the three strong points of our “free-sidentiable” Leni Robredo, similar to the Biblical character Abigail. Incidentally, both women have a Jesse in their lives. VP Leni was married to a Jesse while Abigail’s father-in-law was a Jesse (David’s father). Should the campaign team of VP Leni consistently project her servant leader image, exemplifying attributes of courage, wisdom, and diplomacy, she might make history by becoming the only rose who beat the many thorns to the presidency. By then, VP Leni can shed off her color pink and blue and usher in the rainbow colors signifying hope, peace and new beginnings. More importantly, a colorful rainbow has its spiritual significance in our Heavenly Father’s covenant. In Genesis 9: 13 & 15, we find Noah receiving God’s promise never to harm humanity and all living creatures again with a great flood. Thus, uttered God: “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth…. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.”
Come Election Day, should the Filipino voters decide to “Let Leni Lead,” it is with fervent hope that she keeps her promise, conscious of the colorful rainbow symbolizing a promise-keeping God. Not only VP Leni, but all of us must emulate Him and strive to maintain that kind of candor and strength in keeping promises. For the Bible teaches us: “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’”(Matthew 5:33).
Should VP Leni be allowed to continue to walk her talk, then pink and blue will look like a “rainbow” in every Filipino’s eyes!
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.
For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.