As the throng of candidates for president, vice president and senator rekindled decades-long political divisions among Filipinos, Gen Z voice Kakie Pangilinan reminded those seeking to "convert" others to their fold -- don't fight with the people you're fighting for.
The daughter of opposition vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan tweeted about the factions in politics as she met up in New York with Jillian Robredo, daughter of Vice President Leni Robredo, who is running for president. The two are studying in the U.S.
Pangilinan, full name Simone Francesca, said some of her American friends found it funny how the administration could have such die hard supporters. She said she explains to them that not all Filipinos have access to information and that laughing at them would be "elistist".
People process information at their own pace, she said, adding. "don’t fight with the people you’re fighting for. please."
Kakie and Jillian met up for a bite, saying nothing in a short video clip of themselves together. In a screenshot of their chat, the two agreed that they should see each other because, nakakaumay. That clip got nearly 140,000 views six hours after upload.
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Robredo is set for a rematch with the only son and namesake of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, ex-senator Bongbong Marcos, whom she beat in the 2016 elections.
The Vice President also earned the ire of another rival for the presidency, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who mentioned the pejorative "yellowtards" while defending his stand on the Marcos family.
Moreno said he idolized the late dictator for his "vision" while Robredo said such was a "non-negotiable" for opposition unity as the Marcoses are accused of plundering $10 billion from state coffers and a raft of human rights violations including torture, death and forced disappearances during their 30-year rule.
Again, it's because of a lack of information that people support murderers and thieves, Kakie said.
"Every human choice is understandable. Not necessarily justifiable, but understandable when one considers economics/class/the uniqueness of human experience, and therefore, perception. So we must humble ourselves and likewise do our utmost to understand," she said.
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