Ni Kier James Hernandez 
PHOTO: Office of the Vice President
Kahit pa si President Rodrigo Duterte ang sinuportahan ni dating pangulong Fidel Ramos noong halalan 2016, susulong sa likod ni presidential aspirant Leni Robredo ang 23 miyembro ng gabinete ni Ramos para sa darating na eleksyon. 

Idiniin ng 23 miyembro na si Robredo ang nagtataglay ng mga katangian ni Ramos na kanilang hinahanap sa susunod na magiging presidente ng bansa. 

“We believe that the country sorely needs a leader who will inspire unity, solidarity and teamwork in government and among all Filipinos; empower our people, especially the disadvantaged and marginalised in society; and bring out the best of servant leadership in government officials and public servants by being the foremost example of integrity, dedication, professionalism, level-headedness, statesmanship, pursuit of excellence, hard work, and true caring and sharing for our fellow Filipinos,” giit ng 23 miyembro sa isang joint statement. 

"These are the leadership qualities that we directly witnessed President Ramos espouse and exemplify, and which we seek in the next President of our country," dagdag pa ng mga ito.

Si Ramos ang nagtatag ng partidong Lakas-CMD na kasalukuyang si vice presidential aspirant at Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte ang chairman. Ang inindorso naman ng Lakas-CMD ay ang Marcos-Duterte tandem. 

Naniniwala ang mga miyembro ng gabinete ni dating pangulong Ramos na si VP Leni lamang ang mayroon ng mga nasabing katangian na magdadala sa bansa sa mga mithiin nito. 

"We believe that Vice President Leni Robredo is the only presidential candidate who possesses the above-described qualities, and who can credibly lead us Filipinos closer towards that dream," sabi pa. 

Iginiit din nilang si Robredo lamang ang aspirant na kayang magdala sa bansa “into the positive path to the unified, humane, just, progressive, economically vibrant, sustainable and equitable society that is the dream of every Filipino." 

Sa huli, hinimok nila ang mga Pilipino na suportahan ang pagtakbo ni VP Leni sa pagkapresidente lalo't "we ourselves pledge our wholehearted commitment to do our share to help her become the next President of the Republic of the Philippines." 

Samantala, ‘humbled’ naman si Robredo sa suportang ipinagkaloob sa kanya at idinagdag pang tinitingala niya ang pamumuno ni FVR noon. 

“Many say that FVR had one of the best pool of Cabinet secretaries in recent years. Honoured by the faith you have placed upon me, Sirs and Ma’ams. You can count on me that I will always strive to be worthy of the trust that you and our fellow Filipinos have given me,” ani VP Leni.