On Tuesday, May 17, ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo chose to support outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidency because they share similar goals.
He stressed that his choice was not according to personality but on accomplishments.
“Actually, ako personally, yung pagtulong ko sa pagkampanya ni VP Leni, actually hindi siya personality based. Kasi nagkataon na si VP Leni, she stands for the things that I believe in,” he said during an interview.
If there are other candidates far more deserving of his support, he will not choose Robredo.
“Kumbaga kung may ibang candidate na magka-qualify doon sa mga pinaniniwalaan ko na makakabuting lider para sa ating bayan, siya yung susuportahan ko.”
Kapamilya executive then clarified, “Hindi ko sinusuportahan dahil VP Leni. Sinusuportahan ko si VP Leni kasi pumasa siya sa mga qualifications na nakikita ko na makakapagbigay ng tamang governance sa bayan natin. Hindi si VP Leni. Kasi it can be any other person.”
His goal was to elect a competent leader and not base his vote on a politician’s “charm.”
“Titignan mo iyong qualification ng tao hindi yung dahil, ‘Ay! Parang ang charming niya,’ or ‘Sobrang ma-appeal nito sa akin.’ Hindi ganoon eh. Kasi dapat iyon nga, ang mindset ng mga voters, qualified ba siya? Ano yung track record niya? Kaya ko siya sinupport.”
He added, “Hindi nauna yung love ko si VP Leni sa suporta ko. Nauna muna yung teka, titignan ko muna kung sino ang pinaka-okay na candidate. Then doon ako nag-decide na sumupport.”
Manalo contributed to Robredo’s campaign by producing Liwanag sa Dilim by Rico Blanco. He also wrote an original titled Leni Laban.
However, Robredo was defeated in a landslide by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Manalo admitted he shed a tear upon knowing the election result.
“Grabe, hahaha. Marami po akong mga kaibigan na kasabay kong umiyak sa telepono noong nakita namin na lumalabas na ang results.”
As a Filipino, the Kapamilya executive said that he would show support to the presumptive president, wishing the new government success.
“Kasi para sa ating lahat iyan. Pero hindi mawawala yung obligasyon natin na bilang Pilipino na magbantay kung may mali. Pero sumuporta sa lahat ng tama. Ganoon naman tayo. Walang kung sino man ang dapat manalangin sa pagbagsak ng gobyerno.
“Kasi tayong lahat ang talo. So support lang tayo na maging maigi ang governance. Kasi tayo rin naman ang magbe-benefit. Pero kapag may maling nangyayari, obligasyon nating sabihin. Kasi ‘di ba tayong lahat din ang madadamay sa bad governance.”
Robredo only garnered 14 million votes compared to Marcos Jr’s 31 million. He is set to become the 17th Philippine President on June 30.
