FORMER Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. has emerged from retirement to endorse Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan for the May 2022 elections, calling the tandem “heaven-sent.”
“Only this tandem of LENI-KIKO has a vision for our country, or has presented to the people doable and achievable programs of government within their term of six years that would lift up our country and our people from years of stagnation and decay because of corruption and greed, incompetence, poor governance and failure of accountability,” Davide said in his letter to the Filipino people.
“Only this tandem of LENI-KIKO can fulfill our hopes, dreams and aspirations for a truly great Philippines and for a happy and prosperous people. A people who would enjoy the blessings of truth, justice, love, equality and peace under a truly free and democratic government where the rule of law will always prevail. These are the vision of the sovereign Filipino people in the Preamble of our Constitution,” he said.
“Thus, I would not hesitate to say that the LENI-KIKO tandem is heaven-sent. Yes, heaven-sent.”
The 86-year-old retired chief magistrate, who has spent 41 years in public service in various elective or appointive positions, said it would be to the best interest of the Filipinos to elect Robredo and Pangilinan as the next president and vice president, respectively.
“This LENI-KIKO tandem is to me the best ever tandem for President and Vice President in our history since the first time I exercised my right to vote, after reaching the age of majority. That was in the Presidential election of 1957,” he said.
“Combined, of the candidates for President only LENI, and of the candidates for Vice President, only KIKO, possess the spiritual, intellectual, ethical moral, and social values and virtues demanded of an authentic public servant or servant- leader,” he added.
Davide said that in the private and public lives of Robredo and Pangilinan, they have shown loyalty to their oath and have unselfishly served the people.
“These were not difficult for them to do, for the totality of these values and virtues are even built into their names,” he said.
Davide crafted an acronym for LENI, which he said refers to L for Living, E for Example or Embodiment, N for Nobility, and I for Integrity.
For Pangilinan, he said K aptly stands for Kindheartedness, I for Inspiring model of genuine leadership; K for Killer of grafters and corruptors in the government service, and O for Outstanding servant-leader.
“I fervently pray to the Heavenly Father through our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Good Shepherd and in union with the Holy Spirit that we will be united in voting for LENI as President and KIKO for Vice President in this May 9, 2022 elections. They alone truly deserve to be so elected,” Davide said.