MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo is urging the public not to be swayed by flashy campaign advertisements ahead of the May midterm elections.
“Kaya ito pong 2019 elections, sana hindi tayo magpadala sa pera, sana di tayo magpadala sa palakihan ng tarpualin, sana di tayo magpadala sa pagandahan ng campaign materials,” Robredo said in a speech at Ahon Laylayan Covenant signing Wednesday at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City
(In the coming elections, let us not be influenced by the flow of money, large tarpulins and campaign materials.)
Robredo added that a number of candidates show their support for the poor and marginalized communities only during the campaign period.
“Marami kasing hinahalal natin hindi naman totoong kinatawan ng mahihirap,” Robredo said.
(We elect many candidates who do not really represent the poor.)
“Taong 2019 election lahat ng kanidato mabait sa atin. Panahon ng election maraming nagsasabi, mahal ko ang mahihirap,” she added.
(During the election season, many candidates are nice to us. A lot of them say they love the poor.)
Robredo also actively campaigned for the opposition’s Otso Diretso senatorial slate.
Otso Diretso candidates Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Senator Bam Aquino, Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, lawyers Romulo Macalintal and Chel Diokno, former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas and former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada signed the Ahon Laylayan Covenant of the People’s Legislative Agenda which seeks to fight Charter change and the rising number of human-rights violations. /gsg
READ: Otso Diretso Senate bets ink pact to oppose Cha-cha, rights abuses