By Team Leni Robredo UK
Over 350 Filipinos gathered in Marble Arch in London to express their support for Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo’s bid for president of the Philippines on Saturday, 20 March.
Robredo, who is the country’s current vice president, has pledged to improve the economy to create more jobs so that Filipinos would work overseas only by choice. She has also assured migrants that she would enter into more bilateral labour agreements with countries hosting them to improve their protection and support system.
There are around 200,000 Filipinos residing in the United Kingdom and are one of the largely overlooked migrant communities. Filipinos have the highest death rate of any ethnic group in the NHS, according to the Filipino Nurses Association UK.
According to Team Leni Robredo – UK, one of the organizers, “As overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), we value hard work and honesty and expect the same thing in government service. Leni Robredo is the clear choice, having proven herself as our country’s vice president in uplifting the lives of our people despite limited resources and abuse thrown at her. If she can do this much now, what more as president?”
Robredo will be running against Ferdinand Marcos Jr, also known as Bongbong, in the May 2022 national elections. Marcos Jr is the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr, who ruled the Philippines for 20 years. His regime was characterised by widespread extrajudicial killings, corruption, and a crippled economy. Marcos Sr was overthrown in 1986 by what is now known as the “people’s power” revolution.
About the author
Team Leni UK is a Facebook group who support the candidacies of Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Francisco “Kiko” Pangilinan who are running for president and vice president of the Philippines, respectively, in the coming May 2022 elections.
Editor’s Note
We welcome contributions from organisers of presidential candidates for the May 2022 elections. Please email us your press release at info@tinig-uk.com.
