Republic of the Philippines Senate
OFFICE OF SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
SOLIDARITY MESSAGE FOR BANKERS FOR LENI To the members of the banking profession gathering today and organizing as Bankers for Leni, a very pleasant morning to everyone. And thank you very much for your kind invitation for me to be part of your activity today to show your active support for, and rally behind Vice President Leni Robredo. First of all, let me say that I am amazed and absolutely impressed by how the campaign of VP Leni—our campaign—is metamorphosing into a true people’s campaign, with your support and several hundred organizations across various sectors, professions and regions here and abroad. This is the only campaign formula that will allow us to win and change the current rotten system under President Duterte and the possibility of another Duterte or Marcos come May 2022. These two political families are proven destroyers of economic development and judicial independence and also great abusers of human rights when in power. The rule of law, fair play, and economic stability are important foundations to have a growing and thriving banking industry, along with human rights and good international relations to attract foreign investors. But our country will not be bankable under Duterte or Marcos. Their names alone can scare away good investors and under them only cronies will thrive. Kailangan nating ibalik ang husay at tino sa gobyerno at ekonomiya sa pamumuno ni VP Leni. Vice President Leni’s leadership can provide a one-way ticket out of this mess and this political madness. The COVID-19 pandemic is still around, and our prospects for economic take-off still depend on how well the government can manage this health crisis in the next months and years. And VP Leni has shown herself so capable with her foresight, managerial skills, and hands-on approach. We need science and real work, not midnight talks and bravado. Your professional training and acumen for analysis allow you to easily identify the complete fraud among the candidates from a real gold that is VP Leni. But we have to give our all-out in this election to ensure her victory.
The corruption scandals and abuses under Duterte and the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses—which they will not return if not forced by any legal means—are too huge and many that they will do all the dirty tactics in the book to ensure that VP Leni will not win. The propaganda machine and digital mercenaries of these liars and scammers work now at the rate of desperation. And desperate people are dangerous because they know no limits. So, we must work hard together. You can expect from me, despite being detained for trumped-up charges, that I will give all I can to fight and persevere in this most important election, for our country’s sake and our children’s future. My reelection bid is not only a fight for vindication and justice but also for the continuation of my work to see the rule of law prevail which has been severely compromised, and our people’s human rights which have been severely abused, under Duterte. It is my crusade to ensure that justice and accountability catch up with those who abused their powers and mandates. There are so many challenges ahead of us as we voyage through. And we need a new, experienced and morally courageous captain of the ship in VP Leni to navigate us to new shores. With Senator Kiko Pangilinan and the slate, let’s win this! Marami pong salamat sa inyong lahat. At mabuhay kayo!
LEILA M. DE LIMA PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame 4 December 2021