Is the Pink flame out? Or is it eternal?

By JoeAm on August 12, 2024

Analysis and Opinion

By Joe America

The Leni Robredo Pink campaign in 2020 was awesome. It did everything but win. It was a volunteer effort. Honorable, bright, loud, inspiring.

Was it just a flash in the pan? Is it still here? Is it for Leni Robredo alone or does it have lasting power if she does not run again? Is it just one more personality campaign?

I don't see much organized activity outside of Angat Buhay foundation, which is a volunteer social services and disaster relief effort. An impressive one.

I don't see Pinks in the news at all. I see the Liberal Party there, re-energized with Leila de Lima's release from her political jailing. She is speaking out with purpose. I see Bam Aquino and Chel Diokno on Twitter. I presume they are elsewhere, too. I see no Pink effort to mobilize. No back up to Robredo, someone to attack Sara Duterte, who clearly is running her campaign already. Using tax money.

I do see Atty Barry Gutierrez on Twitter, an opposition voice to both the Marcos and Duterte dynasties. He is sharp and on point.

But otherwise pink is just a popular color.

"What are Pinks supposed to mobilize for, Joe?"

Good of you to ask.

To gain financial backing from the business community and lay the groundwork for 2028 (or 2025 if you hurry).
To develop unity among Pinks, Left, Yellows, and independents by establishing a peoples' super-party that will break the dynasties (see Organizing to win in 2028).
To recruit names, and candidates, like Tito Sotto III and Sonny Trillanes and Riza Hontiveros, and movie stars like Angel Locsin.
To take control of cities, to control barangays, to control votes.
To plan for a strong candidate other than Leni Robredo, like Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro or Riza Hontiveros. Or a businessman or businesswoman.

My guess is that Pinks will look at this list with an empty blank stare. Their flame is so strongly attached to Leni Robredo that they are where they were in 2019, just waiting and hoping. They've dried their eyes and held their anger.

But they have nowhere to go with it. No other person but Leni Robredo. No other goal..

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Cover photograph from Word Press image generator using the article as a prompt.