Vice President Maria Leonora “Leni ” Robredo INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo said on Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks on Otso Diretso candidates are a good sign that they are gaining attention and support.
“Natuwa ako kasi noong una, iyong sinasabi nila na, ‘Hindi dapat pinapansin kasi wala naman iyan,’ feeling ko the mere fact na Presidente na mismo ang pumansin, inisa-isa iyong mga kandidato, pagpapatunay na nagpi-pick up iyong mga kandidato. Kaya para sa akin, ano iyon, magandang senyales,” Robredo told reporters during an event in Bocaue, Bulacan.
According to the Vice President, if the bets were not relevant, they would have not caught the eye of the President.
“Actually 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,” Robredo said.
“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,” she added.
Duterte mocked the opposition candidates during a campaign sortie of PDP-Laban in Zamboanga City last Sunday night, saying that they would go to hell. He raised issues against each member of the Otso Diretso slate except for Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc because “when you’re going against a woman, you just shut up,” the President said.
In the event, Duterte said former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada is a supporter of communists, remarked that reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino was a mere look-alike of former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., and questioned the achievements of his rival former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas II.
He also labelled Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano as a senseless talker, called human rights lawyer Chel Diokno as a poor speaker, and even said the qualifications of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay and election lawyer Romulo Macalintal pale in comparison to former MMDA chair Francis Tolentino.
On the other side, the candidates have clarified some of Duterte’s attributions while reminding him that scrutinizing the administration’s policies and moves is a part of the opposition’s job.
READ: Duterte mocks opposition slate: ‘Otso Diresto’ to ‘hell’
READ: Hilbay, Diokno tell Duterte: Opposition’s role is to check admin
READ: Alejano: I talk with basis and actions unlike Duterte
READ: Tañada urges admin bets to join debate
Robredo said Otso Diretso candidates were chosen based on their track record.
“‘Yong sa akin kasi, iyong pangmamaliit, choice niya naman iyon. Iyong salita na mga ginagamit, nasa kaniya naman iyon. Pero iyong sa akin, kapag sinabing walang nagawa, iyong records yata iyong magpapatunay,” Robredo said.
“In fact, iyon talaga iyong basehan namin kung bakit silang walo ‘yung napili. Kaya nga sila ‘yung humihingi ng debate. Kaya sila humihingi ng debate para makita ng taumbayan kung sino ba talaga ‘yung—saan ba talaga naninindigan ‘yung mga kandidato,” Robredo explained.
According to latest surveys, only Aquino and Roxas would make it to the Magic 12 if elections were held in late January. Most of the Otso Diretso candidates are looking from the outside.
Still, Robredo has maintained that the slate has a fighting chance, considering her initial rankings during the 2016 presidential and vice presidential elections. /je
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