John Arcilla’s “Bayan, Pumili Ka” Speech Analysis

using Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional Concept of Discourse and

the Halliday’s Systematic Functional Grammar

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for

GRES211: Discourse Analysis

Submitted to

Teresita Pareja

Faculty, College of Liberal Arts and Communication – Graduate Studies

De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

By

Karen B. Camacho

July 2022
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the background of the study, the problems to be answered, the

theoretical frameworks used to analyze the material.

Background of the Study

Language is unique to humans. It is a tool used by the people to communicate to others.

Through the language and communication process, the discourse takes place. Discourse

analysis is the study of what humans do with language and how they do it (Gee, 2018). The

use of critical discourse analysis (CDA) as a method has significantly enhanced the critical

examination of language in spoken speech. It has extended to numerous fields and new regions

of the world (Fairclough, Graham, Lemke and Wodak, 2004). The main emphasis of CDA is

on how power relations and inequality contribute to social injustices, with a special attention

to their discursive components. This covers issues with ideology and understanding various

kinds of ideologies (Thompson, 1984).

A political discourse may be described as “the formal exchange of reasoned

perspectives as to which of numerous opportunity guides of motion need to be taken to remedy

a societal problem" (Leifeld, 2010). In all political speeches, the speaker and the audience are

both a part of the text and conversation of professional politicians or political institutions, such

as presidents and prime ministers, as well as other members of the executive, legislative branch,

or political parties, at the local, national, and worldwide levels. A political speech serves a

variety of purposes that are established by the underpinning political actions. Politics-related

subjects include political relations, political theories, or political activities. Politicians deliver

speeches as representatives of political parties, governments, or nations rather than as

individuals. This is another distinguishing trait of political speech. Politicians typically deliver
speeches as leaders of political parties, governments, or nations, and they can speak to

individuals within a given political group or to the entire country.

Autida-van der Zee (2013) stated on his study that speeches are seen as a special type

of spoken discourse that can be examined for grammatical issues. The authors and presenters

in this genre need to promote understanding of how language is used and how ideas are

formed. As a result, it must be delivered and used with authority, strategy, and the ability to

persuade because how these speeches are delivered reflects the speaker's identity and social

standing.

Campaign speeches should make the candidate standout from the rest of the competitors

to assure the success against the other party. These political campaign speeches must appeal to

the taste and principle of the people. This kind of speech should not always persuade the people

to vote for the candidate but must give the audience the impact that the candidate is something

worth voting for. The masses, during the campaign, must feel motivated to look forward to the

projects of the potential winner of the election upon hearing the speech.

In the Philippine National Election in 2016, former President Rodrigo Duterte,

campaign speeches were impromptu because he believed that it would just be repetitive. He

just followed a rough outline: fight against crime, drugs, and corruption. He inserted jokes and

real-life remarks to fit with the audience. In this sense, he got the people and won by a landslide.

To analyze a text is to uncover and discover the hidden motives, the strength and

weaknesses of it. Hence, it is important to look how the language, the linguistic features, and

the discourse features are interrelated to context configuration, societal background and

influences, theories, and ideologies.

Borja (2019) gave a few contextual situations of the late Cory Aquino’s speech during

the Joint Session of the U.S. Congress, September 18, 1986. Based on his analysis, one of
Aquino’s speeches was about the success of the people against the dictatorship of Ferdinand

Marcos and that women are a symbol of empowerment. In another speech of Cory, it

highlighted the death of his husband, Ninoy Aquino, and the Americans were seen as people

who care for the Filipinos. However, Gabutina, et.al., (2020) presented their observation of

Cory Aquino’s speech bias which appeared biased against the Marcoses and positive towards

his husband’s assassination. They also pointed out some inconsistencies in the speech which

the main goal was not well-established. The authors stated, “it has to many scattered points

(mentioning Ninoy, defaming Marcos etc.) that leads to one simple point which is to seek for

financial aid.”

Van Dijk (1998b) asserts that political discourse, gender inequality, media discourse,

and similar topics should be highlighted in the context of politics, even though most discourse

studies dealing with any aspect of power, dominance, and social inequality have not yet been

explicitly conducted under the banner of CDA.

The researcher claim that this study is based on Norman Fairclough’s Three-

Dimensional Concept that will unveil the relation of the text to the different perspective of

discourse and is also based on Michael Halliday’s Systematic Functional Grammar as a

resource for making meaning of the material.

Jibrin (2003) made a study on the State of the Nation Addresses (SONA) of the previous

presidents Ferdinand E. Marcos, Joseph E. Estrada, and Gloria M. Arroyo in the context of

political genre in the Philippines. In 2013, Autida-van der Zee, made a study on the inaugural

speech of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. The researcher, however, has not come across any local

studies that focus on the critical discourse analysis of the campaign speech of John Arcilla

“Bayan, Pumili Ka” during the People’s Rally of Leni Robredo in the campaign period prior

to Philippine National Election in May 2022.

 The main purpose of this study is to emphasize the importance of research on the critical

discourse analysis of the spoken discourse in the field of politics as it is regarded as significant

to reveal the discursive aspects of power and injustices in the society. Through the analysis of

the speech structure and various discourse features, it is revealed that John Arcilla’s “Bayan,

Pumili Ka” Speech reflects the desire of the Filipinos who wanted to have a better government.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to analyze the speech of John Arcilla “Bayan, Pumili ka” during the

People’s Rally of Leni Robredo, a candidate for President, in the Philippine National Election

in May 2022, with its purpose to establish the discursive patterns in the speech using

Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional Concept and Halliday’s Systematic Functional Grammar.

The study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the discursive features of the speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” by John Arcilla

based on Norman Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional Approach?

2. What are the discursive features of the speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” by John Arcilla

based on Michael Halliday’s Systematic Functional Grammar?

Theoretical Framework

The researcher of this study uses the following theories to support the critical analysis

of the speech Bayan, Pumili Ka by John Arcilla, and to address the problem situated for the

study.

Three – Dimensional Concept of Discourse– Norman Fairclough

This theory is used widely by many researchers and linguist around the world because

of its approach to analyze a discourse. Fairclough (1992) stated that his approach to this

framework is to bring together linguistically oriented discourse analysis in social and political

thought relevant to discourse and language, in a framework which will be appropriate for use

in social scientific research. He used the term discourse as to regard language use as a form of

social practice rather than a purely individual activity or a reflex of situational variables.

Language use has several implications. Firstly, it implies that discourse is a mode of action,

one form in which people may act towards the world and with one another. Secondly, it implies

that there is a dialectical relationship between discourse and social structure, or the relationship

between social practice and social structure. Discourse is shaped and constrained by social

relationships at all levels: by class and other social relations at a societal level, by the relations

specific to institutions such as law or education, by systems classification, by various norms

and conventions of both discursive and non-discursive nature. Therefore, discourse is socially

constitutive (Fairclough, 1992). He added, discursive practice is both constitutive in both

conventional and creative ways where it contributes to reproducing society (social identities,

social relationships, systems of knowledge and belief), and contributes to transforming society.
 Figure 1

Three – Dimensional Concept of Discourse by Norman Fairclough

TEXT

DISCURSIVE PRACTICE
(production, distribution, consumption)

SOCIAL PRACTICE

Systemic Functional Grammar by Michael Halliday

Michael Halliday is an Australian Linguist who identified 7 functions to acquire

language. These functions include the first set: Instrumental, Regulatory, Interactional,

Personal, and the second set: Heuristic, Imaginative, and Representational. Language should

be described as a system rather than structure. Systematic Functional Grammar analyzes the

unit of text because the functional meaning potential of language is realized in units. Functional

grammars view language as a resource of making meaning. These grammars attempt to

describe language in actual use and to focus on texts and their contexts. They are not only

concerned with the structures but also, how those structures construct meaning. Functional

grammar starts with the question, “How do the meanings of this text realize”. Halliday’s

approach to explain a context is through text connection with a proportion in a context of

situation, and in a context of culture. The context of situation by Halliday can be specified

using register variables: field, tenor, and mode (what language does, and how language does

it). Grammar is part of' this resource but the relation of grammar to other parts of the linguistic

system is not a part to whole relation, rather, a symbolic one. Grammar is a resource for creating

meaning in the form of wordings. It can be referred to the area of semantics and grammar, an

area that shall characterize as interpersonal, ideational, and textual. The lexicogrammar

method, on the other hand, makes the underlying assumption that even the most mechanical or

abstract grammatical process is dependent on lexical linkages and has a lexical realization. The

researcher of the study only focuses on the register (contextual configuration) and discourse

semantics (linguistic functional configuration).

Figure 2

Systematic Functional Grammar Approach

Sociocultural environment

Genre

Register
(field, tenor, mode)
(

Discourse semantics
(ideational, interpersonal, textual)

Lexicogrammar
(transitivity, modality, theme-rheme/cohesion)
Table 1

Context of Situation - Contextual Configuration

Genre 1. Name What is the name of the genre of which this

text is an exemplar?

Field 2. Social context In what social setting is this kind of text

typically produced? What constraints and

obligations does this setting impose on

speakers and listeners/ writers and readers?

3. Communicative What is the communicative purpose of this

Purpose text (this may involve explicit and implicit

factors)?

Tenor 4. Roles What roles may be required of writers and

readers in this genre?

What shared cultured values may be

5. Cultural Values required of speakers and listeners/ writers

and readers in this genre?

Mode 6. Text context What knowledge of other texts may be

required of speakers and listeners/ writers

and readers in this genre?

 7. Formal text What knowledge of formal text features

features (conventions) is required to participate

effectively into this genre?

Table 2

Functional Linguistic Analysis

Textual Theme How is the text organized at a micro level

(theme/rheme) and as a series of larger units of

meaning?

Interpersonal Mood How is the relationship between the writer and the

reader constructed? How is the power relationship

between writer and reader signaled? How does the

writer signal evaluations (approval/ disapproval,

acceptance/ rejection, certainty/ uncertainty, etc.)

Ideational Transitivity Focus on lexicogrammar: what is the text about? How

are the logical relationships in the text signaled?

 CHAPTER 2

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

This part of the study makes a critical evaluation of the speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” by

John Arcilla supported by the Three- Dimensional Concept of Discourse by Fairclough and the

Systematic Linguistic Grammar by Halliday.

The Context of the speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” by John Arcilla

The speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” was delivered by the award-winning actor John Arcilla

during the People’s Rally of the candidate for president, Leni Robredo, in the Philippine

National Election in 2022. John Arcilla is popular with his character Antonio Luna in the

historical drama film Heneral Luna. The speech was intended to let the Filipino people think

the best for the country, that he believed with proper governance and with the most suitable

people in the government, the Philippines will have the chance to receive the best for its people.

He emphasized in the speech the qualities of Leni Robredo, who was running for the president

position. The actor carried through the speech in the character of Heneral Luna which got a lot

of praise from the people. Being in the character of a historical hero in the Philippines, made

the nation realized that every Filipino people deserves to fight for the betterment of the country.

The speech reflects the eagerness of each Filipino to achieve good governance for the

country as it is facing thriving and alarming issues of corruption. In the Philippine history,

corruption has its colonial roots. One of these is when a political system is dominated by

powerful families. Political dynasties in the Philippines are so influential. Voters intend to look

to the candidates’ family background, influence, and prominence rather than critically analyze
their platform, educational background, and the desire to reorganize the system. In the latest

survey by the Transparency International, Philippines is the 117 least corrupt nation among the

180 countries in 2021 Corruption Perception Index. Corruption in the country takes place at all

levels of the government but is rampant among the high-level civil servants. In 2008, former

President Joseph Estrada was convicted in a tax evasion case which led him from getting

impeached as president of the country. In 2012, ex-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was

arrested with charges of plunder for misusing state lottery funds in her last years in the office.

In 2014, Janet Lim Napoles, businesswoman, was in the center a scandal in which dummy

nongovernmental organizations were formed between 2004 to 2010 to siphon off $229 million

for herself and her accomplices. A massive kickback scheme for lawmakers was revealed by

herself involving the three senators: Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate minority leader Jinggoy Estrada,

and Ramon Revilla Jr.

John Arcilla stated in the piece himself that he campaigned for Leni Robredo because

she was leading her ways against corruption which the Bureau of the Internal Revenue declared

the Office of the Vice President as the most transparent office in the government for four

consecutive years. Also, this speech is Arcilla’s way to counterclaim all the accusation of the

other parties and individuals against Robredo.

 Analysis using the Fairclough’s Three- Dimensional Concept of Discourse

1. Text Analysis

This part of the analysis intends to elaborate the structure of the speech “Bayan, Pumili

Ka” (People, Choose) by John Arcilla. The following points are considered:

a. “We” as the subject of the sentence

In most part of the speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” (People, Choose), the personal

pronoun ‘we’ is commonly used as subject of the sentences and clauses. We is used

to invoke a sense of collectivity and to share responsibility of the people of a certain

group, population, community, or nation. The speaker used we to pertain to the Filipino

people. The speaker used we sixty times in his speech.

I can feel our love for each other tonight. Let us applaud our stand. This is true

love of country. Because we don’t want corruption, because we don’t want all kinds

of injustice. Because these two are the reason why many of our countrymen are

suffering and our country is suffering. We are here because we love the Philippines.

b. “Because” as a conjunction to support a collective stand

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defined because as a conjunction to introduce words,

phrases, or clauses that bear an explanation or reason. Because is commonly used as a

subordinating conjunction and is dependent on one statement. It helps in giving

meaning by linking clauses or ideas. In the excerpt below shows that because is used

to make a causation to support the collective stand of the people for being together in

that moment to fight for their country. The conjunction because provided the reasons

why the people make their way to the rally and standing for the country.

I can feel our love for each other tonight. Let us applaud our stand. This is

true love of country because we don’t want corruption, because we don’t want
 all kinds of injustice, because these two are the reason why many of our

countrymen are suffering and our country is suffering. We are here because we

love the Philippines.

We do not worship Leni Robredo. We do not worship Leni Robredo. We are

with her because she is with the Filipino people. We are not sanctifying or

sanctifying Leni Robredo. We are not sanctifying or sanctifying Leni Robredo.

We love him because she loves our country, because she is a real person, riding

a bus and riding a motorcycle.

c. “So that” as conjunction to state a purpose

The subordinating conjunction so that appeared in the speech less frequent than the

other kinds of conjunction but left a strong point to the speech. So that is used to

combine the ideas or clauses to the main statement or main clause. The if clause “If the

government and its people understand each other” is a conditional statement that

makes a possibility that the government and the people would understand each other.

Conjunction so that provided the idea that if that happens, this will happen.

If the government and its people understand each other, they will work

together, understand each other and at the same time work together so that we

can all rise, so that we can find the rose of tomorrow.

d. Simple Sentences for clear expression of ideas

A simple sentence contains one independent clause which has a subject and a

complete predicate. Simple sentences can give an honest and direct to the point ideas

and do not complicate the whole meaning of the context. This kind of sentence can be

expressed in just one word and provide an impact to the audience. The title “Bayan,

Pumili Ka” (People, Choose) is one example of a simple sentence. Bayan (People) is
 the subject and Pumili Ka (you Choose) is a single verb predicate. The sentence is being

straightforward and leaves the audience the sense of responsibility to choose the one

most suitable. Also, simple sentences add impact after some long-winded sentences.

The simple sentences that follow have no trace of ambiguity but gives the audience an

intense sense to vote. Its simplicity in structure does not have much impact in meaning

but depends on the clauses or sentences that go before them.

We, we are all the most powerful in the coming elections in May. We are

the most powerful because we will put the person to serve us. But our duty as

Filipinos is not over. We need to watch over him so that our dreams and his

promise come true. Let’s not leave her alone in the chair. We need Kiko. We

need Baguilat. We need Matula. We need Lacson. We need Chel. We need

Hontiveros. We need De Lima. We need Trillanes.

e. Portmanteau or word blends

Coined by Author Lewis Caroll in the book “Through the Looking-Glass”,

portmanteau is a French word which means “trunk” or suitcase”. Portmanteau or word

blend is formed by combining portions of two different words to make a new one and

often created to describe an invention or phenomenon that combines the meaning or

traits of two existing things or terms. The speech has mentioned two word blends:

Yellowtards and Pinklawan. These word blends are created to describe the quality of a

particular group and used to discriminate the party. Yellowtards came from the words

yellow and tard. “Yellow” is to describe the the Liberal Party while “tard” is a short

term for retard which means stupid. Yellowtard are the people who are fanatic of the

Partido Liberal and the members of the partisan loyal to the Aquino-Cojuanco feudal

clan, who have intellectual disability. Pinklawan came from the words pink and

dilawan. While pink is a term for the people who support the camp of Leni Robredo,
 dilawan is a Filipino term for yellow. This word is used to accuse that Robredo, even

using pink as her campaign color, is still a dilawan. Robredo was in the Liberal Party

during the 2016 election.

2. Discursive Practice

This part of the analysis allows to bridge the gap between the linguistic features of the

text and the orders of the discourse being represented in the Three-Dimensional

Concept of Fairclough (Fairclough, 1992a, 1995b).

a. “Bayan, Pumili Ka” as a Functional – Notional Approach

This approach was published by the British linguist D.A Wilkins in 1972 in

order to let the learners to specify the communicative functions so that they can

communicate effectively by understanding the functions and notions of the language.

Function is a communicative act that uses the language to achieve a purpose which

involve interaction at least between two people. It is classified in different categories

such as personal, interpersonal, directive, referential, and imaginative. Notions are

elements that can be expressed through nouns, pronouns, verbs, prepositions,

adjectives, and adverbs (Ahmed & Rahman, 2017). The interaction is between the

speaker and the audience, the Filipinos. The title “Bayan, Pumili Ka” (People, Choose)

falls under the directive category by attempting to influence the others’ actions to

choose the right candidate for the position. The speaker gives the notion to choose

(verb) that causes the audience to respond to the directive.

b. Rhetorical Device – Compare and Contrast

The rhetorical situation of the paragraph intends to give the audience the chance

to decide by having them the preference of which to choose better. The speaker
 considers that the audience already know the argument and are knowledgeable about

the things to compare and the reasons behind the comparison. Starting the speech with

this kind of rhetorical pattern is an effective system of organizing and illustrating the

differences of the concept. It lets the audience to examine the ideas that will lead them

to consider choosing which befit their principles and standards.

Korap o tapat? Kurakot o 17ingcod? Umiiwas o humaharap?

Sumusugod o umaatras? Masipag o tamad? Trapo o tropa? Bayan pumili ka!

(Corrupt or honest? Corrupt or servant? Avoiding or facing? Starting or

retreating? Hardworking or lazy? Trapo or tropa? People you choose!)

c. Grice’s Conversational Maxims

o Maxim of Quality aims to say things you believe is true and not to say things that

cannot be backed up with evidence. The speaker in this speech believes that he is

telling the truth to the best of his knowledge when Arcilla mentioned “She does not

even collect and even reduces the people’s tax.” This line emphasized that Robredo

is an uncorrupt official of the government, by which is verified and declared by the

Commission of Audit, that The Office of the Vice President has fairly presented its

financial positions and financial statements in accordance with the Philippine Public

Sector Accounting Standards. The OVP received an “unqualified opinion” from the

state auditors, the best rating that a government agency can receive (Galvez, 2021).

o Maxim of Relevance keeps the conversations on track and prevents lack of

continuity. The utterance in the conversation aims to abide to mention only the

relevant information intended for the discussion. The idea of the lines below is that

many organizations and various companies trust Robredo because she is

uncorrupted, a lawyer, an economist, and a teacher which are connotated as

someone who is trustworthy. These ideas become relevant to the fact that Robredo
 is an uncorrupted government official of the Philippines. Mentioning the line

“…she does not live in the palace. She only lives in a two-bedroom and lives with

his-his wife’s parents.” Supports the argument that she lives with simplicity afar

from the extravagance.

She does not even collect and even reduces the people’s tax. She has

helped a lot, but the source of money and funding is from various organizations

and various companies that trust him. Who else did that? She is the only one I

know. And she can do that because she’s a lawyer. She is an economist. She is

a teacher. And he does not live in the palace. She only lives in a two-bedroom

and lives with his-his wife’s parents.

D. References in Discourse

o Anaphoric Reference

When a word or phrase refers to something that was addressed before in the text, it

is known as an anaphoric reference. This could be a concept or notion that was

discussed before in the sentence or from a previous discussion. It must be obvious what

the word or phrase refers to in order to employ anaphoric reference properly, especially

if it refers to something that is much earlier in the text.

▪ Anaphoric expression: the pronoun she is an anaphor of Leni Robredo.

▪ Antecedent expression: the proper noun Leni Robredo is the antecedent of the

pronoun she.

“…Aside from Leni Robredo’s birthday, why are we here?

We do not worship Leni Robredo. We do not worship Leni Robredo. We are

with her because she is with the Filipino people. We are not sanctifying or

sanctifying Leni Robredo. We are not sanctifying or sanctifying Leni Robredo.

 We love him because she loves our country. Because she is a real person, riding

a bus and riding a motorcycle.”

▪ Anaphoric expression: the demonstrative pronoun that is an anaphor of the

word criticizing

▪ Antecedent expression: the noun criticizing is the antecedent of the pronoun that

“… Criticizing is our duty as taxpayers. Criticizing the government is not

rebelling or not complaining. Criticizing the government is love and part of our

rights as Filipino citizens. And Leni Robredo knows that very well. That is the

beginning of a healthy relationship between the government and the people.”

o Cataphoric Reference

A word or phrase that refers to a term or a piece of information that will be stated

later in the text or conversation is said to be making a cataphoric allusion. Anaphoric

references, which are words or phrases that refer to anything that has already been

discussed in a book or another kind of discourse, are comparable to cataphoric

references.

▪ Cataphoric expression: the pronoun we is a cataphor of the Filipino people.

▪ Postcedent expression: the proper noun Filipino refers to the cataphor we.

“We are not Yellowtards. We are not Pinklawan. We are not payers! And

especially we are not communists! All colors are here. Blue, Yellow, Red,

Green, Pink and Brown! We are the Filipino people. We love our country; we

love our flag, and we fear God.”

o Exophoric Reference

A text that refers to anything external to the text is said to be exophoric. The ability

to understand an exophoric reference typically depends greatly on the context. One type
 of exophoric reference is Homophora. A homophora is a reference that is made in a text

or in speech that depends on the reader’s or listener’s general or cultural knowledge to

be understood. The purpose of homophora is to make the listener’s own cultural or

general knowledge and understanding dependent on the context of what the speaker is

saying. Homophora incorporates shared knowledge between the speaker and the

listener as well as cultural knowledge.

▪ Exophoric reference: An example of homophora is Bongbong. To

understand Bongbong being a child, is to have the idea that he is the child

of the former President Ferdinand Marcos who seeks to clear the reputation

of his family in the controversies by securing the highest position in the

government. This line cannot be understood without the additional cultural

context of knowing who he is.

“You know, I am a child. I love my parents, so I understand Bongbong

as a child. But it’s not a presidential qualification that I understand

someone.”

3. Social Analysis

a. Name Calling as part of Negative Campaign

The politics in the Philippines is quite a controversy in the history. John Arcilla,

the speaker of the speech, is an actor who intended to promote his candidate, Leni

Robredo to the people. The composition of the speech is a collective answer to the

negative issues being thrown to Leni Robredo by the opposition. It is his way to

plead a counterclaim to the harsh critiques of the people who did not recognize

Robredo as someone to lead the country. Bernhardt and Ghosh (2020) established

the general idea that elections feature more negative campaigning than positive.

Reputations of the candidates are easier to tear down than to build up. Del Rosario
 (2019) stated that it is unacceptable for former President Duterte to disparage the

opposition’s candidates and cast doubt on their abilities. It does not help the voters

in understanding the actual concerns that affect their everyday lives.

As Del Rosario (2019) said:

This is the political climate we currently have in our nation. Pera-pera lang

‘yan, as someone once put it, and for this reason, the people elect the leaders

they do. Money speaks louder than genuine qualifications. (para 3)

When she stood for president in 1992, the late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago

was referred to as “Brenda,” which is short for “brain damage.” The name-calling “call

boy” exposed Isko Moreno’s past as a seductive actor in movies like “Tukso, Layuan

Mo Ako,”. “Punch drunk” recalled for Pacquiao the alleged alcohol-fueled bar fights

he allegedly participated in prior to become a world champion boxer, devout Christian,

and family man. Leni Robredo was called “Leni Lutang and Leni Lugaw”. She was

dubbed “Leni Lugaw” by her detractors and trolls online because it was one of the ways

that individuals who supported Robredo when she stood for vice president in the 2016

Elections supported her. In order to collect money for the campaign in 2016, some

pictures of Robredo’s supporters selling lugaw went viral on social media. Robredo

won the election and wa’ appointed to the second-highest position in the cabinet. Due

to the issue surrounding Robredo’s supposed non-cheating and the disagreements

between her and President Rodrigo Duterte, several netizens and administration

supporters became enraged with Robredo and gave her the moniker “Leni Lugaw.” This

name calling also relates to the “Leni Lutang” as bashers tried to mock Robredo as she

had her lutang moments during her interviews. Video splices trended on social

platforms that contain funny and shallow moments.

 Political Analyst Ramon Casiple (2021) stated that politicians attack their

opponents with insults because it is intended to discredit competitors in the public’s

eyes. If voters have the same opinion, they will judge whether the negative campaign

was successful. However, if they believe that the creditors are also targeting them, the

audience could feel sympathy for the target, who might even benefit from the attack.

5. Maka-masa and malasakit sa kapwa, palatable public personas

In 2015, a presentation done by Dr. Clarissa David of UP College of Mass

Communication, and Ma. Lourdes Tiquia, founder of Publicus, discussed that voters

nowadays care most about the character of the candidate. Each election candidate brings a

distinct set of qualities and ideas to the table. Journalists, voter activists, authors, and interest

organizations regularly argue that when Filipinos examine the candidates for office, they

should focus on their platforms rather than their personalities. However, according to the

survey’s findings, young voters continue to prioritize a candidate’s moral character over

their qualifications for office and level of education. Voters most frequently selected these

characteristics as being the most significant when choosing their candidate for president

from a broad list of a person’s characteristics. Adults expect a compassionate presidential

candidate to prioritize his countrymen’s welfare by providing livelihood, medical/health

benefits, assistance during calamities/tragedies, scholarships, and housing projects rather

than taking advantage of the nation’s wealth personally. This is another way of

demonstrating compassion for the people, or pag-mamalasakit sa kapwa. Candidates who

said to be maka-masa, the ones who care for the welfare of the people, are favored by the

masses. It is also clear that voters give respect to a presidential candidate’s prior political

experience; only one-fourth of voters are open to considering a candidate with no or little

political experience.
C. Fight for Good Governance

Wars and revolutions against colonial overlords and autocrats helped pave the way for

the Philippine history. This means that the struggle for moral leadership and effective

governance began on the day that Magellan betrayed Lapu-Lapu and has continued through

the unfair execution of Jose Rizal, the heartless demands of the Treaty of Paris, the Japanese

bombing of Manila in 1941, the death of Ninoy Aquino, and other injustices brought on by

a corrupt political system.

The most essential component of political planning is good governance. A transparent

administration prioritizes the appropriate upholding of the law, and this will result in a

favorable and peaceful environment. Democratic practices in the government must be

sustained to have a stable economy and long-term growth. People and political figures

should have harmonious relationship that will encourage the government to handle its

resources well and will result in a sensible reaction to social justice and political rights.

In the Philippines, countrymen have a high degree to assume responsibility and to

participate in the governance. This participation during the election period is maximized by

the people who support a party or a candidate who got the characteristic to lead the country,

to meet a self-sustained economy, to assert national development, and to improve political

efficacy. The government itself cannot eradicate poverty, increase economic performance,

and enforce the law alone. Filipinos have the obligation to scrutinize the quality of

leadership in the country.

Robredo herself mentioned that the cornerstone of her administration would be good

governance which she believed will pave the way to a better Philippines. In 2016, she stated

that good governance is not just about the government being honest and trustworthy. It is
 about the involvement of the people in government. Instead of condemning and degrading

public servants, it is about citizens to be involved to understand. In election 2022, supporters

of Robredo did campaign rallies with massive number of crowd and house to house

campaigns imploring ‘Tao sa tao. Puso sa puso’ ideals by the late Jesse Robredo. They

believed that a better government will be achieved by her administration.

D. Ideology of Nationalism

States have developed throughout human history as a result of social needs. Simple

pastoral villages gave way to complex societies that required a government to manage the

business of the society and to keep the peace and in order. With the creation of the state, an

ideology was born, which went on to become the main means of self-identification, a sense

of consciousness and belonging to the nation, as well as feelings and aspirations for the

advancement of nation’s security and prosperity. This philosophy is known as nationalism

(Baradat, 2009). Nationalism provides people a feeling of significance, identity, and

belonging to the state. In the influence of the Spaniards, people who had the courage to

defend their country had suddenly become heroes. Having such characteristic has been

regarded as an honor because it denotes power and bravery. Because of these several

revolutions, democracy was established, which meant that anybody could be a hero. The

Philippine flag represents several characteristics that characterize contemporary

nationalism. For instance, the flag’s eight sun rays stand in for the eight provinces that

previously joined an uprising against the Spanish. That gives nationalism its definition as a

commitment to and loyalty to one’s own country. In the modern era, anyone could advocate

nationalism.

In the speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” by Arcilla is introduced the sense of inclusivity of

all Filipino people when he stated “Lahat ng kulay ay nandito. Asul, Dilaw, Pula, Berde,
 Rosas at Kayumanggi! Tayo ang sambayanang Pilipino. Mahal natin ang ating bayan,

iniibig natin ang ating bandila at may takot tayo sa Diyos.”. This gives the idea that no

matter what type of person you are, ethnicity you belong, you are part of the advocacy to

stand and fight for the betterment of the country.

“Pag pinili mo ang bayan, kasama na roon ang iyong pamilya, kasama na

roon ang iyong sarili sapagkat pag ang bayan natin ay umunlad, uunlad tayong lahat.

Pag ang bayan natin ay bumagsak, babagsak tayong lahat! (When you choose the

nation, that includes your family, that includes yourself because when our nation

develops, we will all prosper. When our town falls, we will all fall!).

One characteristic of political candidates that voters must consider is being

nationalistic. In the part of the speech where Arcilla mentioned that when a person chooses

his country, he is also choosing his family, significantly gives the idea that a person should

not only think of himself but most importantly, the country and its people. This idea is

supported by the campaign tagline of Robredo “Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat”

– every Filipino (lahat) receives a better life (angat buhay) if the government is honest

(gobyernong tapat).

e. Support from Religious Groups

The archdiocesan Lay Council of Lipa stated:

“We believe a good leader should be truthful, honest, fair and be able to serve the

people before their personal desires,” the council said noting that Robredo “embodies

these characteristics as can be seen in his many programs and projects. For marginalized

communities and young people. Christians are also encouraged to engage in principled

partisanship, which means they can campaign for good candidates as part of exercising

their Christian faith,”

 It has become an issue when the Catholic clergy expressed their support to Robredo.

Many people showed their disagreement to this. Catholics who discuss these problems are

frequently accused of being partisan by those who completely disagree with the moral

teaching of the Church. Even priests who work to engage the faithful in conversation about

key moral issues and explain what the Church teaches are occasionally accused of

advancing the political agenda of one political party or another when in fact, many who

make such accusations overlook that the Church teachings predate not just any current

political party but very existence of the country for the greater good.

While many voters disagreed by the intention of the Catholic groups to support the

party, Iglesia Ni Cristo, a religious sect in the Philippines, expressed their support to

Bongbong Marcos. INC bloc voting started in 1969 which became influential for many

national elections until 2022.

f. “Bayan, Pumili Ka” speaks Freedom of Choice

A popular definition of bias is a tendency or prejudice toward one point of view. An

agenda or ideology may be promoted through a conversation or writing that is biased. It is

crucial to be able to recognize the degree of bias in discourse, whether it be in social media

posts, newspaper articles, or political speeches, in the era of “fake news,” the emergence of

extremist ideologies, and numerous misinformation strategies. Being biased is not always

a bad thing. It can occasionally strengthen an intention, advance a cause, prove a point,

persuade, discourage, and transform.

While John Arcilla mentioned his intentions to support Leni Robredo and her senatorial

slate, the speech still discarded the idea of being politically biased. The speech title “Bayan,

Pumili Ka” is basically giving the people the freedom to choose the candidate they believed

to be the best for the highest position of the country. People yearn for independence since,
 in the end, it leads to happiness. Being free implies having the ability to weigh your options,

including their advantages and disadvantages, and decide what is best for you.

“Korap o tapat? Kurakot o 27ingcod? Umiiwas o humaharap? Sumusugod o

umaatras? Masipag o tamad? Trapo o tropa? Bayan pumili ka!”

The beginning part of the speech has already established the freedom of choice until

the latter part of the speech which also ended by stating “Bayan, pumili ka.”

Analysis using Michael Halliday’s Systematic Linguistic Grammar

This part of the part is an analysis of the speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” using Halliday’s

Systematic Linguistic Grammar. This will elaborate the speech’s context to its linguistic

realization.

Table 3

Context of Situation – Contextual Configuration

Genre 1. Name What is the name of the “Bayan, Pumili Ka” Speech

genre of which this text by John Arcilla during the

is an exemplar? Campaign Rally for Leni

Robredo

Field 2. Social context In what social setting is This speech is addressed to

this kind of text the people of the Philippines

typically produced? during the campaign period

What constraints and of 2022 National Elections.

 obligations does this It is to give the people the

setting impose on choice to contemplate who

speakers and listeners/ to vote for the upcoming

writers and readers? elections.

3. Communicative What is the Advice and instruction

Purpose communicative purpose considering the freedom to

of this text (this may choose.

involve explicit and

implicit factors)?

Tenor 4. Roles What roles may be The speaker himself, John

required of writers and Arcilla, played his role as an

readers in this genre? authoritative spokesperson,

while the audience are the

critical listeners.

5. Cultural What shared cultured Awareness

Values values may be required Compassion

of speakers and Duty

listeners/ writers and Empathy

readers in this genre? Integrity

Love

Optimism

Passion
 Patriotism

Nationalism

Mode 6. Text context What knowledge of Current issues in the

other texts may be Philippines, Politics, News,

required of speakers and Philippine history

listeners/ writers and

readers in this genre?

7. Formal text What knowledge of Compare and contrast,

features formal text features Pronouns, Conjunctions,

(conventions) is Simple sentences

required to participate

effectively into this

genre?
 Functional Linguistic Analysis

• The line in the speech “I can feel our love tonight” is used as an example for this

analysis.

Table 4

By Metafunction: Mood, Transitivity, Theme – “I can feel our love tonight”

CAN FOR EACH

METAFUNCTION SYSTEM I OUR LOVE TONIGHT
FEEL OTHER

Textual Theme Theme Rheme

Finite
Complement Complement Adjunct
Subject (modality)
Interpersonal Mood
Predicator

Mood (declarative) Residue

Ideational Transitivity Actor Process Accompaniment

Circumstance
Mental (emotionally) Matter
of time
 • The line in the speech “We are all the most powerful in the coming elections in

May” is used as an example for this analysis.

Table 5

By Metafunction: Mood, Transitivity, Theme – “We are all the most powerful in the coming

elections in May”

in the
the most
METAFUNCTION SYSTEM We are all coming in May
powerful
elections

Textual Theme Theme Rheme

Finite
adverb Complement Adjunct Adjunct
Subject (primary)
Interpersonal Mood
predicator

Mood (declarative) Residue

Process Accompaniment

Ideational Transitivity Actor Circumstance Circumstance

Relational matter
of time of time
 • The line in the speech “The election is about our country and not about others” is

used as an example for this analysis.

Table 6

By Metafunction: Mood, Transitivity, Theme – “The Election is about our country and not

about others”

about our about

METAFUNCTION SYSTEM The election is and not
country ourselves

Textual Theme Theme Rheme

Finite
complement conjunction complement
Subject (primary)
Interpersonal Mood
predicator

Mood (declarative) residue

ideational Transitivity Process Accompaniment

Actor
Relational Reason reason
 • The line in the speech “May we all live!” is used as an example for this analysis.

Table 7

By Metafunction: Mood, Transitivity, Theme – “May we all live”

METAFUNCTION SYSTEM May we all live!

Textual Theme Rheme Theme Rheme

Adjunct Subject adverb complement

Interpersonal Mood Mood residue

Probability
Subject Predicator

Ideational Transitivity Accompaniment Process / Goal

Actor
Material

Two extremely generalized metafunctions that connect to phenomena outside of

language are used by the grammar to construct meaning.

The textual interpretation is concerned with the creation of the text and the meanings

interpersonal and ideational meanings shared by the speaker and the listener or audience.

The interaction between the speaker and addressee is addressed by the interpersonal

metafunction. These are grammatical resources for enacting social roles, speech roles, and

dialogic functions. One of its major systems is mood. The mood element remains constant,

thus follow the certain pattern: the subject + finite + clause

The ideational metafunction has to do with ‘ideation’. The grammatical resources are

the construction of the experience of the world around and inside us. One of its systems is

transitivity, the interpretation of the going – on experiences.

 The two, interpersonal and ideational metafunctions, are oriented towards the

interpretation of the extra-linguistic’ phenomena, or relational context of the text to the

social and interpersonal mode.

 CHAPTER 3

CONCLUSION

This part of the paper provides the implication which became evident in the creation

of the study.

The speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” by John Arcilla culturally reflects the Filipino

endeavor for a good governance. The nationalistic trait of every Filipino had been

significant since the pre-colonial era until the 21st century. Being nationalistic can be done

differently in every situation, yet still, an expression of love for the country and to its

people. This speech has a strong influence of the experiences of the people in the society,

throughout the years of existence of the Philippines. The desire of every Filipino to put

justice to every injustice, the fight of the weak to every people in the highest positions, the

striving effort of everyone to stop the corruption, have ignited the speaker to speak up and

lead his audience to choose for the best not only for themselves but for the whole nation.

The speech made its strong point with the use of the personal pronoun “we”. This

symbolizes inclusivity which is one the characteristics of nationalism. The pronoun ‘we’

was repeated for over 60 times in the speech that give the sense of belongingness to the

listener of the speech. The speaker includes his audience in his intentions, and he lets them

realize different ideologies in his narrative that would lead them to the utilization of their

right to choose.
 CHAPTER 4

RECOMMENDATION

This study aims to analyze the speech “Bayan, Pumili Ka” by John Arcilla with the use

of Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional Concept of Discourse and Halliday’s Systematic

Functional Grammar. Based on the implications of the study, the researcher suggests:

a. sectional or paragraph analysis

b. comparative study of the “Bayan, Pumili Ka” to other speeches from the

previous elections.
 CHAPTER 5

REFERENCES

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 Appendix A

“BAYAN, PUMILI KA”

JOHN ARCILLA

Korap o tapat? Kurakot o lingkod? Umiiwas o humaharap? Sumusugod o umaatras? Masipag

o tamad? Trapo o tropa? Bayan pumili ka!

Damang dama ko ang ating pag-ibig sa isa't isa ngayong gabi. Palakpakan natin ang ating

paninindigan. Ito ang tunay na pag-ibig sa bayan. Dahil ayaw natin ng korapsyon, dahil ayaw

natin ng lahat ng uri ng inhustisya. Dahil ang dalawang ito ang dahilan kung bakit maraming

naghihirap sa ating mga kababayan at naghihirap ang ating bansa. Nandito tayo dahil mahal

natin ang Pilipinas.

Hindi tayo mga Yellowtards. Hindi tayo mga Pinklawan. Hindi tayo mga bayaran! At lalong-

lalong hindi tayo mga komunista! Lahat ng kulay ay nandito. Asul, Dilaw, Pula, Berde, Rosas

at Kayumanggi! Tayo ang sambayanang Pilipino. Mahal natin ang ating bayan, iniibig natin

ang ating bandila at may takot tayo sa Diyos.

Bukod sa kaarawan ni Leni Robredo, bakit tayo nandito?

Hindi natin sinasamba si Leni Robredo. Hindi po namin sinasamba si Leni Robredo. Siya po

ay aming sinasamahan sapagkat sinasamahan niya ang sambayanang Pilipino.

Hindi natin sinasanto o sinasanta si Leni Robredo. Hindi po namin sinasanto o sinasanta si Leni

Robredo. Siya po ay aming sinisinta dahil iniibig niya ang ating bayan. Dahil siya ay totoong

tao, sumasakay ng bus at umaangkas sa motorsiklo.

Si Leni Robredo po ay hindi natatakot na bantayan natin ang kanyang paninindigan at kanyang

mga pangako dahil kilala niya ang kanyang sarili at alam niya kung ano ang kaya niyang gawin

para sa ating lahat.

Hindi po siya natatakot na punahin. Nais po niyang tawagan natin ang kanyang atensyon

sapagkat alam niya na ang pag-puna ay pagmamahal sa bayan. Ang pag-puna, ay ating

tungkulin bilang nagbabayad ng buwis. Ang pagpuna sa gobyerno ay hindi pagrerebelde o

hindi pagrereklamo.

Ang pagpuna sa gobyerno ay pagmamahal at bahagi ng ating karapatan bilang mamamayang

Pilipino.

At alam na alam po 'yun ni Leni Robredo.

Kaya't iyon po ang simula ng isang malusog na relasyon ng gobyerno at ng mamamayan. Kung

nagkakaintindihan ang pamahalaan at ang kanyang taumbayan, nagdadaop-palad, nakaka-

unawaan at sabay-sabay na magtutulungan upang umangat tayong lahat. Upang masumpungan

natin ang pag-rosas ng bukas.

Tayo po, tayong lahat po ang pinaka makapangyarihan sa darating na eleksyon sa Mayo. Tayo

po ang pinaka makapangyarihan sapagkat tayo ang maglalagay ng taong maglilingkod sa atin.

Pero, hindi pa po tapos ang ating tungkulin bilang Pilipino. Kailangan po natin siyang bantayan

upang ang ating mga pangarap at ang kanyang pangako ay matupad.

Kaya 'wag natin siyang iiwanan na mag-isa sa upuan. Kailangan natin si Kiko. Kailangan natin

si Baguilat. Kailangan natin si Matula. Kailangan natin si Lacson. Kailangan natin si Chel.

Kailangan natin si Hontiveros. Kailangan natin si De Lima. Kailangan natin si Trillanes.

Marami po akong mga kakilala, marami akong mga kaibigan. Sabi nila, "Iboboto ko si Leni

bilang Presidente pero ang gusto kong bise ito. Ang gusto kong si– senator ay ito, ito. Gusto

ko, gusto ko, gusto ko."

Alam ko 'yan dahil gusto nating maramdaman ang ating kalayaan sa pagpili. Ito na ang ating

pagkakataon. Lagi na lamang sila ang tama. Lagi na lang 'yung boyfriend ko ang tama. Lagi

na lang 'yung girlfriend ko ang tama. Lagi na lang sila ang tama. Ito na ang pagkakataon ko

kaya ilalagay kung sino ang gusto ko.

Pero hindi po lahat ng gusto natin ay makakabuti sa atin. Dahil ang eleksyon po ay tungkol sa

ating bayan at hindi tungkol sa ating sarili. Radikal ang pagmamahal.

Alam po ninyo, ako ay isang anak. Mahal ko po ang aking mga magulang kaya nauunawaan

ko si Bongbong bilang isang anak. Subalit hindi kwalipikasyon sa pagka-presidente ang

nauunawaan ko ang isang tao.

Gusto ko si Sara kasi maganda ang kaniyang mukha. Mukha siyang mabait. Subalit hindi

kwalipikasyon sa pagka-pangulo ang mukhang mabait.

Kilala ko si Isko subalit hindi po kwalipikasyon sa pagka-presidente ang kilala ko lang ang

isang tao.

Sapagkat ang tatlong pamantayan po na iyan ay maaari ko ring gamitin kay Leni Robredo. Siya

ay namatayan ng asawa, ako ay namatayan ng mahal sa buhay. Damang-dama ko at unawang-

unawa ko ang kaniyang damdamin. Siya ay mukhang approachable at mabait. Siya ay kilala

ko.
Kinampanya ko siya noong bise siya pero hindi 'yun ang dahilan kung bakit ko siya pinili.

Pinili ko siya dahil sa kaniyang mga ginawa, sa kaniyang mga nagawa, at sa kaniyang mga

gagawin pa.

Siya lamang po ang nakita kong kandidato na pumupunta sa lahat ng malalayong lugar na hindi

pa napupuntahan ng sinumang opisyal at natutulungan niya ang mga kababayan nating mga

mahihirap. Natutulungan niya ang mga nasasalanta sa lahat ng bahagi ng Pilipinas na hindi

niya binabawasan ang kaban ng bayan.

Ni hindi niya kinukuha at nababawasan man lamang ang buwis ng bayan. Ang dami na niyang

natulungan subalit ang pinanggagalingan ng pera at ng pondo ay mula sa mga iba't-ibang

organisasyon at iba't-ibang kumpanya na may tiwala sa kaniya.

Sino pa ang gumawa noon? Siya lamang po ang kilala ko. At nagagawa niya 'yun dahil siya ay

isang abogada. Siya ay isang ekonomista. Siya ay isang guro.

At hindi siya nakatira sa palasyo. Nakatira lamang siya sa isang two-bedroom at nakikitira sa

kaniyang– sa magulang ng kaniyang asawa.

Isang totoong tao. At 'yun ang mga dahilan kung bakit siya ang pinipili natin.

At higit sa lahat, ginagawa ito ni Leni Robredo hindi para sa kaniyang sarili kung hindi para sa

bayan. Lagi nating tinatanong bakit ba bayan na lamang ang mauuna? Bakit hindi ang aking

pamilya?

Pag pinili mo ang bayan, kasama na roon ang iyong pamilya, kasama na roon ang iyong sarili

sapagkat pag ang bayan natin ay umunlad, uunlad tayong lahat. Pag ang bayan natin ay

bumagsak, babagsak tayong lahat!

Kaya tayo nandito, kaya tayo nandito sa panig na ito sapagkat alam natin na ito ang ating

tungkulin. At gagawin natin ito araw-araw. Babantayan natin ito hindi tuwing eleksyon lamang.

Hahanap tayo lagi ng tao at papanig tayo sa tao na kakandidato para sa ating bayan. Hindi

ngayon lamang sa mga darating pang panahon sapagkat ito ang tungkulin natin bilang Pilipino.

Tayong mga Pilipino ay hindi perpekto at hindi mga santo, subalit alam natin kung papaano

maging kagalang-galang na Pilipino. Tayong mga PIlipino ay hindi mga perpekto at hindi mga

santo, pero alam natin kung papaano tumindig na may dangal.

Mabuhay tayong lahat. Mabuhay tayong lahat. Mabuhay tayong lahat. Mabuhay ang

sambayanang Pilipino na pipili ng tama ngayong darating na Mayo. Mabuhay tayong lahat.

Mabuhay tayong lahat. Maraming maraming salamat po. Bayan, pumili ka.

[END]

Posted in Transcripts on Apr 23, 2022

 Appendix B

“PEOPLE, CHOOSE”

JOHN ARCILLA

Corrupt or honest? Corrupt or servant? Avoiding or facing? Starting or retreating?

Hardworking or lazy? Trapo or tropa? People you choose!

I can feel our love for each other tonight. Let us applaud our stand. This is true love of

country. Because we don’t want corruption, because we don’t want all kinds of injustice.

Because these two are the reason why many of our countrymen are suffering and our country

is suffering. We are here because we love the Philippines.

We are not Yellowtards. We are not Pinklawan. We are not payers! And especially we are not

communists! All colors are here. Blue, Yellow, Red, Green, Pink and Brown! We are the

Filipino people. We love our country, we love our flag and we fear God.

Aside from Leni Robredo's birthday, why are we here?

We do not worship Leni Robredo. We do not worship Leni Robredo. We are with her

because she is with the Filipino people.

We are not sanctifying or sanctifying Leni Robredo. We are not sanctifying or sanctifying

Leni Robredo. We love her because he loves our country. Because she is a real person, riding

a bus and riding a motorcycle.

Leni Robredo is not afraid for us to guard her stand and her promises because she knows

herself and she knows what she can do for all of us.
She is not afraid to criticize. She wants us to call her attention because she knows that

criticism is love for the country. Criticizing, is our duty as taxpayers. Criticizing the

government is not rebelling or not complaining.

Criticizing the government is love and part of our rights as Filipino citizens.

And Leni Robredo knows that very well.

That is the beginning of a healthy relationship between the government and the people. If the

government and its people understand each other, they will work together, understand each

other and at the same time work together so that we can all rise. So that we can find the rose

of tomorrow.

We, we are all the most powerful in the coming elections in May. We are the most powerful

because we will put the person to serve us.

But, our duty as Filipinos is not over. We need to watch over him so that our dreams and her

promise come true.

So let's not leave her alone in the chair. We need Kiko. We need Baguilat. We need Matula.

We need Lacson. We need Chel. We need Hontiveros. We need De Lima. We need Trillanes.

I have many acquaintances; I have many friends. They said, "I'm going to vote for Leni as

President but I want this vice. I want this senator, this. I want, I want, I want."

I know that because we want to feel our freedom of choice. This is our chance. They are

always right. My boyfriend is always right. My girlfriend is always right. They are always

right. This is my chance so I will put who I want.

But not everything we want will be good for us. Because the election is about our country and

not about ourselves. Love is radical.

You know, I am a child. I love my parents so I understand Bongbong as a child. But it’s not a

presidential qualification that I understand someone.

I like Sara because she has a beautiful face. He looks kind. But it is not a qualification for the

presidency that looks good.

I know Isko but I don't have a qualification for the presidency, I only know one person.

Because those three criteria can also be used with Leni Robredo. She lost a husband, I lost a

loved one. I could feel and understand her feelings. She looks approachable and kind. I know

her.

I campaigned for her when he was vice but that's not why I chose her. I chose her because of

what she has done, what he has accomplished, and what she will yet do.

She is the only candidate I have seen who goes to all the faraway places that no official has

ever been to and she helps our poor countrymen. She helps the victims in all parts of the

Philippines without reducing the coffers of the people.

She does not even collect and even reduces the people's tax. She has helped a lot but the

source of money and funding is from various organizations and various companies that trust

her.

Who else did that? She is the only one I know. And she can do that

because she's a lawyer. She is an economist. She is a teacher.

And she does not live in the palace. She only lives in a two-bedroom and lives with his-his

wife's parents.
A real person. And those are the reasons why we choose her.

And most of all, Leni Robredo does it not for herself if not for the town. We always ask why

only the people come first? Why not my family?

When you choose the nation, that includes your family, that includes yourself because when

our nation develops, we will all prosper. When our town falls, we will all fall!

That's why we're here, that's why we're here on this side because we know it's our duty. And

we will do it every day. We will monitor this not only during elections. We will always look

for people and we will side with the person who is the candidate for our country. Not only

now but in the future because this is our duty as Filipinos.

We Filipinos are not perfect and not saints, but we know how to be honorable Filipinos. We

Filipinos are not perfect and not saints, but we know how to stand with dignity.

May we all live. May we all live. May we all live. Long live the Filipino people who will

choose the right this coming May. May we all live. May we all live. Thank you very much.

People, you choose.