On Aug. 24, Vice President Leni Robredo addressed the nation to discuss ways on how to tackle the health crisis that has loomed us for the past 5 months in lockdown. Citing strategies and collaborative deliberations with professionals including researchers, scientists, analysts, and professors, she laid out an intricate plan that touches several aspects of our society including health sectors, the economy, LGUs, and more.

From VP Leni’s look, gestures, and her set-up, she was stripped and smart-shamed by her detractors taking no heed of the many solutions she has offered and the good will she holds that comes part and parcel of her political seat. Some of the particular vicious comments she received are “her look was only staged”, “it was all just a show” and “stepping over the president’s efforts”, and the like. Despite all these, VP Leni, in her usual smart, calm manner, only found a silver lining out of the predicament and instead focused on a more positive response of #SupportLocal.

Detailing in her statement are just some of the unnecessary nitpicks she received after her address. Her critics, mostly the trolls, picked on her whole ‘smart’ look with her hair in a bun which she slammed with an unprecedented remark that aligns well with IATF protocols of wearing masks which only makes sense to have that look on her so she can seamlessly wear her mask. Even as simple as wearing glasses was linked to stereotyping smart casuals to which VP Leni only regarded with her history of wearing glasses and that it serves as protection from virus nowadays. That’s another tick off the hate list.

Then they went on with her books as part of her smart facade but with the help of the curious social media community, we were able to zoom in on the remarkable display of books on her table. Some of these include The Intangibles that Make a Nation Great by former Senate President Jovito Salonga, Thinking Beyond Politics by Victor Andres Manhit, and The Struggle for Democracy by Benjamin Barber and Patrick Wilson. Unfortunately, some people focused on it for being too staged and dodged the main point of her words. As a counter from her supporters, OWWA Deputy Administrator Mocha Uson’s photos from way back 3 years ago of her reading books for her preparation for law school once again circulated. From VP Leni, the ridicule and focus went back to Mocha’s photo that sees her reading a book with a smooth spine.

Now onto the bigger part of the picture with the collated criticisms mentioned by former actress, Vivian Velez, the outfit also was targeted with judgment. From the brooch to the color choice, Vivian calls VP Leni a hypocrite and allegedly calls her out for the fake display.

But VP Leni rather exerted her energy and words to support local brands especially BAYO who designed the dress she was wearing during her speech. She mentioned how she has been a fan of BAYO and got to know them better for helping out their cause to produce locally-designed PPEs for our frontliners. VP Leni has always been known for her support for local talent and how she has recruited the help of local designers like Mich Dulce and Joey Socco to produce more local PPEs.

These issues all link to the running statement in social media to push ‘Let Leni Lead’ and the running irony of “Edi Ikaw na Mag-Presidente!” This is why the battle between trolls and educated netizens sparked a heated battle once again because VP Leni has shone in light of her bashing. It can be remembered that the government has been wary of upstaging and wants its citizens to trust them because they are the ones that lead. However, politics remains divided in colors and the noise of criticisms smogs the whole collaborative government effort that its nation deserves. Even though VP Leni did her job and contributed to the government’s efforts, it’s crazy how people still focus on the shallowness of visceral nitpicking instead of the depth of her words and plans.

One of our nation’s biggest problems nowadays is the abundance. That no matter the information dissemination or educational efforts that anyone does, trolls remain unfazed with a blind eye and closed ears for opinions.