Leni surprised at reports her lead over Bongbong dwindling

Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER.net / JHOANNA BALLARAN

Vice President Leni Robredo has vowed to call out misinformation, amid what she claimed was an organized campaign of lies being waged against her.

Robredo underscored the importance of such a move for the public’s benefit, saying it is dangerous to keep quiet on false claims because it only enables the lies to shape the mindset of some people.

The Vice President was apparently reacting to reports published in several newspapers Thursday that her lead over former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has dwindled in the ongoing recount of the 2016 vice presidential race being conducted by the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).

The reports, citing insiders within PET, said that on the third week of the manual recount, Robredo’s lead was down by 21,000 votes. Thus, Robredo’s lead of 263,473 votes over Marcos narrowed to about 242,000, the reports said.

Amid Robredo’s apprehension, INQUIRER.net was able to get the same information from PET insiders.

Robredo, who claimed she has been the subject of misinformation, especially on social media, said it is everyone’s “responsibility” to call out lies.

“Marami nang opinyon na na-shape dahil sa panlilinlang. Naging tahimik na tayo for much too long. Mali iyon—ina-admit ko, mali iyon. Pero hindi pa late para i-correct. At ngayon na na-realize natin na mali na we kept silent, talagang pupunahin na natin every time may maling lumalabas,” she told reporters on Thursday at the sidelines of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Central Luzon Regional Conference and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education in Pampanga.

In his electoral protest, Marcos argued that his bid for the vice presidency failed because of alleged electoral fraud.