Leni Robredo, former Vice President of the Philippines and head of the non-profit organisation Angat Pinas Inc., is currently visiting Canberra on a two-day trip to engage with the Filipino diaspora and civic groups in the Australian capital.
Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo served as the 14th Vice President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, after which she ran for the presidency in the 2022 elections but lost to incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Her "pink revolution" – a campaign movement that drew immense support from Filipino women and youth – remains a symbol of hope and advocacy for many of her supporters, including those in Canberra.
In a sit-down conversation with Virginia Hausegger, an Australian award-winning journalist, at an event organised by the Australian National University’s Philippines Institute and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership on Friday 6 September, Robredo talked about her fight for transparency and against corruption and the cycle of political patronage in the Philippines.
Robredo encourages future women leaders to immerse themselves in the communities and understand the issues on the ground to become an effective leader.
One of the key initiatives she supported as Vice President, Angat Bayi, aims to reduce barriers to women’s entry into politics and promote meaningful political participation for those already in office.
“We help organise local women leaders build networks to empower them. Most women leaders who are in position in the Philippines ascend to power because of a political dynasty, when it should be about programs and advocacies,” Robredo said.
The fight continues for ex-VP Robredo who decided to run as mayor of her hometown Naga City where she can “innovate programs that can be replicated across the Philippines and show that it can be done.”
Even if she’s no longer going for a national position, she said her "radical love" for country remains. She encourages Filipino diaspora in Australia to always practice kindness and compassion.
She also thanked her supporters in Canberra and those who back the Angat Buhay programs, which help improve public education, health, and disaster relief response and rehabilitation in the Philippines.
To cap her visit, Robredo will host a fundraising dinner in Canberra themed "Connecting Communities, Uplifting Lives: Fundraising Dinner for Angat Buhay Foundation" this evening, with a follow-up event scheduled in Sydney on Sunday, 8 September.
