Over 100 top educators back Robredo-Pangilinan tandem

QUEZON CITY) – More than 100 current and former heads of of schools, colleges, and universities backed the candidacies of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis Pangilinan for president and vice-president in the May elections.

A statement from the Robredo-Pangilinan team cited that 117 top educators signed a statement declaring their “unequivocal support” , following a scrutiny of their track record, plans for education, and “more importantly, their character as individuals.”

They said Robredo demonstrated, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, that her “brand of leadership shines through best in times of crisis—one that can find solutions that are context-based, data-driven, and equity-oriented.”

“’Thus, circumspect of the challenges ahead, we believe that Robredo is the Education President our country needs to address this learning crisis and attain quality education for all,” the group said.

The signatories included former CHED chairpersons Patricia Licuanan, Angel Alcala, and Ester Garcia, former education secretaries Armin Luistro and Fe Hidalgo, and former TESDA director Edicio Dela Torre.

Earlier, Robredo made it clear in a Catholic forum that her pro-LGBTQIA+ stand on civil unions is absolute.

At the same time, Robredo reiterated that she is against divorce, abortion, and the death penalty.

But she clarified she won’t impose her beliefs, and if she becomes president, she would listen to all views.

“Kahit kontra ako sa divorce, kontra sa abortion, kontra sa death penalty, obligasyon ko na siguruhin na yung divergent voices pinapakinggan. That is not to say magpapa-impluwensya ako,” she explained.

“Sang-ayon ako sa sinabi ni Pope Francis na lahat tayo anak ng Diyos. I am all for civil unions like he is. Dahil ang paniniwala natin may karapatan lumigaya kahit sino at hindi dapat sila parusahan for the choices that they make,” Robredo said in a Catholic E-Forum.

In his trip to Slovakia in 2021, Pope Francis said that same-sex civil unions are “good and helpful to many people,” adding that he “supported civil laws that try to help those who have a diverse sexual orientation.”

Robredo said it is the obligation of the government to make sure that members of the LGBTQIA+ are not being discriminated upon and all opportunities are there for them.

“Hindi dapat pinagkakaitan ang karapatan ang kahit sinong tao dahil lang kung sino ang mahal nila. I take offense na yung marami, ginagamit ang kanilang faith para i-look down yung mga tao na iba yung mga desisyon. It is something very personal to me,” she pointed out.

Citing her experience as a lawyer for women who have been victims of domestic abuse, she said there are enough laws to protect them.

“Ang mahirap lang sa mga batas na ito ay hindi masyadong accessible sa mga mahihirap. So dapat ang gawin lang natin, make sure yung remedies under Family Code and other special laws will be accessible even to women who are victims of domestic abuse na walang perang pambayad,” she explained.