Robredo: Opposition ‘alive’ despite difficulties under Duterte admin

Liberal Party stalwart Vice President Leni Robredo strongly believes that the political opposition is “alive” despite being at a disadvantage under the Duterte administration.

Robredo, during an event to present the senatorial slate of Oposisyon Koalisyon (OK) on Wednesday, disputed allegations that the opposition has been complacent and “sleeping.”

“Marami pong nagsasabi na hindi madali maging oposisyon ngayon. ‘Yung lahat na naglalakas ng loob na magreklamo, na tumuligsa, ay minamaliit, niyuyurakan, kinukulong,” Robredo said in the presentation of the Oposisyon Koalisyon’s (OK) senatorial slate for the 2019 polls.

(Many are saying that it isn’t easy to be an opposition nowadays. Those who have the courage to complain, denounce are belittled, vilified, jailed.)

“Iba’t-iba ‘yung paraan ng ating paglaban. Maraming nagsasabing natutulog ang oposisyon. Pero buhay na buhay po ang oposisyon,” she added.

(We have many ways to fight. Many are saying the opposition is sleeping. But the opposition is very much alive.)

Robredo cited for instance the protests against the clandestine burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos as just one of the many manifestations that the opposition remains thriving and active despite the challenges they are facing under the Duterte administration.

“Buhay na buhay ang oposisyon sa mga nakikita nating pakikipaglaban ng ordinaryong mga lingkod bayan na kahit napakahirap ng kalakaran ngayon, patuloy pa rin na nakikipaglaban,” she said.

Robredo then expressed confidence that the OK senatorial slate will win in the 2019 senatorial race, citing her own victory in the vice presidential race in 2016.

The OK senatorial slate includes human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno, former Rep. Erin Tañada, re-electionist Senator Bam Aquino, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas II, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, former Bangsamoro Transition Commission member Samira Gutoc, Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, and independent candidate lawyer Romulo Macalintal. They were presented to the public at an event held in Marikina on Wednesday.

“Yung walo na siguro hindi masyadong kilala, marami po ‘yung nagsasabi, napakahirap ng laban nila kasi mas makapangyarihan, mas kilala ‘yung kanilang mga kalaban. Pero ako na po siguro ‘yung pinakamalaking halimbawa,” Robredo said.

“Kung naging posible po noong 2016, walang dahilan kung bakit hindi natin maipapanalo ‘yung ating walo basta po tayo ay nagkakaisa,” she also said.

Deemed as a dark horse in the 2016 elections, Robredo emerged to win and become the 14th Vice President of the Philippines.  /kga