Robredo’s presidential campaign to be symbolized by pink rose

Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo will use rose as a trademark of her campaign, saying it symbolizes hope.

Ibarra Gutierrez, spokesperson of Robredo, made the announcement a day before the campaign period starts on Tuesday, February 8.

“The rose is the symbol of our campaign because in our country, the rose also stands for love, hope, and a better life. The rose has stood for movements for democracy and freedom. The rose complements pink, which is Robredo’s campaign color that was spontaneously adopted by her supporters," Gutierrez said.

“Ito ang angkop na tatak na sumasalamin sa sentro ng ating laban - ang puso ng bawat Pilipino na nagbibigay buhay sa ating People’s Campaign. Ang katagang ‘Rosas ang kulay ng bukas’ ay ang pangarap na bitbit ng ating pangakong ‘Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat’,” Gutierrez added.

(The rose is reflective of the center of our fight: the heart of every Filipino involved in this People's Campaign. The tagline rose as the color of tomorrow carries the dreams of an honest government and progressive nation.)

The rose symbol was officially launched on Monday, February 7, on Robredo’s official Facebook page, even though Robredo's television ads have used the said tagline and featured pink roses.

Robredo declared her presidential bid last October 7, and filed her certificate of candidacy after.

Her supporters have used the color pink as campaign color and identified themselves as Kakampink. 

Bicol Region

In a separate interview in her hometown of Naga City in Camarines Sur, Robredo said she is confident the Bicol Region will support her presidential bid

"Oo [kumpiyansa ako sa solid ang Bicol sa akin]. Kasi noong 2016, iyong political parties, may linya talaga na pinupush. Ngayon, iba iba iyong partido na nakuha natin ang suporta," Robredo told reporters.

(I am confident that the Bicol region is solidly behind me. In 2016, parties have clear lines in pushing for candidates. Now, we are able to get support from various parties.)

"Ang maganda rito, hindi lang sila sumusuporta sa akin kung hindi naniniwala rin sila na kapag nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon, malaking opportunity ito for the Bicol region," Robredo added.

(What is good here is that they support not only myself, but they are convinced that once I am elected, it will be a big opportunity for the Bicol region.) 

Robredo, however, recognized that the battle ahead is not easy, especially in the era of disinformation.

"Disinformation [is the biggest hurdle in this fight]. Disinformation and fake news. Kasi lahat naman na— lahat na ‘yun mga negative na binabato sa akin, lahat ang basehan disinformation eh," she said.

(It is because the negative things thrown at me are based on disinformation.)

"Maraming mga pagkakataon na tine— either tine-twist ang mga facts or ‘yung mga tinutulak na mga "news" ay totally baseless. Because of the power of social media that works on algorithms, ‘yun talaga ‘yung mahirap dahil alam natin na ang daming fake accounts ngayon, fake accounts na ginagamit siya para isulong ‘yung kasinungalingan, and alam natin na nasa-saturate nito ‘yung lahat ng distribution channels," Robredo added.

(Facts are being twisted, and supposed "news" are baseless. Social media works on algorithms, and fake accounts are being used to push the lies, and these content [with the most number of engagements] are saturated in distribution channels.)

Robredo said fighting fake news on social media is a civic duty.

"We should fight fake news together. Kasi kung ang eleksyon maipapanalo base sa kasinungalingan, kawawa tayo," she added.

(Because if the election was won on lies, that would be a pity for us.) — RSJ, GMA News