VP Robredo to attend Sona even if Duterte shames her in his speech

Vice President Leni Robredo will attend President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 23 even if the chief executive decides to shame her before the whole country in his speech.

Robredo, claiming that she is used to be being insulted, also stressed that it is her obligation as Vice President to attend the President’s annual address to the nation.

Robredo had recently expressed her willingness to unite and lead the country’s political opposition against the Duterte administration. However, the president responded by calling Robredo “incompetent.”

READ: Duterte: Robredo ‘incompetent,’ will never be ready to become President

On Friday, Robredo told reporters in Filipino during a press briefing in Naga City, “I will still attend even if others wouldn’t want me to attend. The others are afraid that Duterte may insult or humiliate me.”

“For me, it’s my obligation to be there. I’m already used to being insulted. I don’t think (the insults) will stop. Even if I would be insulted, I wouldn’t think it’s my fault, right? I’m ready to face anything” she said.

Inflation, unemployment

Meanwhile, Robredo said she expects to hear Duterte’s plan on how to address the problem about the rising prices of goods and commodities amid the spike in the country’s inflation rate.

“Inflation is a hot-button issue. Prices of goods have risen. We want to hear the government’s plan on how to arrest those prices,” the Vice President said.

Aside from inflation, Robredo also wants to know from Duterte why recent surveys have shown that unemployment in the country rose by two percentage points.

“The economy is growing but why is unemployment rising? Why is this happening, what is our plan? We expect the Sona to tackle the most pressing issues of the country,” she said.   /vvp