Robredo stands by competence, character of opposition candidates

Vice President Leni Robredo said the attention that the President is giving the Otso Diretso senatorial slate only shows that the opposition candidates have a shot in the 2019 midterm polls.

Asked about President Rodrigo Duterte’s tirade at the Otso Diretso candidates in a recent speech, VP Leni said that the President’s effort to name them one by one was a “good sign.”

“Noong nalaman ko na pinangalanan isa-isa ng Pangulo iyong mga kandidato ng Otso Diretso, iyon iyong pagpapakita na nagpi-pick up na sila. Kasi kung hindi naman sila relevant, hindi na sila papansinin,” she told reporters at the sidelines of an event in Bulacan on Monday (March 4). “Kung hindi sila pinapansin ng mga tao, hindi na sila pag-aaksayahan ng panahon ng Pangulo, pero the mere fact na nag-aksaya ng panahon para isa-isahin sila, gustong sabihin may laban iyong aming mga kandidato.”

Robredo issued the comment after the President said that the Otso Diretso slate is “headed to hell,” complaining about their criticisms of his administration and claiming that they have not done anything for the people.

VP Leni, in turn, stood by the candidates’ competence and character, saying that their track records disprove the President’s claim against them.

“[Ang aming mga kandidato], marami na itong track record na pinanindigan. Iyon talaga iyong basehan namin kung bakit silang walo iyong napili,” she said. “Tingin ko ultimately iyong magiging basehan naman iyong track record. Kasi kapag sinabi mong ‘wala itong ginagawa,’ tingnan natin [iyon].”

VP Leni also reiterated her support for Otso Diretso’s call for a debate with administration candidates.

“Kaya humihingi ng debate para makita iyong plataporma ng pamumuno. Iyon naman iyong dahilan kung bakit kailangan nasa isang entablado iyong mga kandidato: para iyong itinatanong sa kanila, iyong mga relevant na mga issues. Kasi kung hindi iyong taumbayan ng pagkakataon na marinig sila, paano nila malalaman kung sino iyong karapat-dapat botohan?” she said. “Ang problema—nakita naman natin iyong mga iba’t ibang media outlets, mga TV networks, nag-sponsor ng debates—maraming mga kandidato, hindi pumupunta. Kasi kung pumupunta sila, hindi na kinakailangang hamunin.”