Robredo says she will no longer respond to insults

Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER FILE/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo said she would no longer respond to insults hurled against her as it distracted from issues that must be addressed for the benefit of the public.

“Basta ako, iyong policy ko, kapag hindi maganda iyong usapan — gustong sabihin, may halong pag-iinsulto, may halong masamang mga sinasabi — out ako diyan,” Robredo told reporters on Sunday in the sidelines of an event held in Hong Kong.

Robredo made the remark after Davao City Mayor and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chair Sara Duterte-Carpio said she would end the word war against the opposition as advised by her mother.

Duterte-Carpio earlier said she was reprimanded by her mother for bullying critics of his father’s administration.

The Vice President, however, maintained that she would remain critical of policies and pronouncements of the administration but not engage in exchanges of foul words.

“Pupuna ako kapag may kailangang punahin, pero in a manner na walang ganyanan — walang insultuhan, diretso sa puna,” she said.

The word war against Duterte-Carpio and Robredo heated up when the Vice President reacted to Duterte-Carpio’s remark that “honesty should not be an issue” in the 2019 elections, saying honesty is a “huge factor” in determining one’s integrity.

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The Davao City mayor, who is also the chair of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party, retorted by saying that Robredo should not comment on honesty since her honesty had been in question since she assumed the vice presidency.

Duterte-Carpio said Robredo was facing an election protest for “massive fraud” in the 2016 elections and was being called “fake VP” for a reason.

“She has refused to answer allegations of her relationship with a married man. She may or may not get away with these but we all know she is not forthcoming in everything,” the Davao mayor added.

READ: Inday Sara retaliates; blasts VP Leni on honesty issue

The Robredo camp responded by saying the HNP chair should “read real news” so she could avoid issuing statements based on “fake news.”

READ: Robredo camp to Sara Duterte: Avoid reading fake news

Finally, Duterte-Carpio hit back saying that the vice president should not hide behind her camp when responding to an argument as it showed “fake courage.”

READ: Sara Duterte blasts Leni Robredo’s ‘fake courage’ and for hiding

Robredo maintained that the issues against her has also already been addressed and should not be used to “deflect” from the issues in the midterm elections.

She said the focus should be on the 2019 candidates and the issues they must address.

“Ayaw kong pumasok sa isang usapan na, una, dala ng init ng ulo; pangalawa, may insultuhan; pangatlo, parang masama iyong pananalita,” Robredo told reporters on Sunday in the sidelines of an event held in Hong Kong.

“Kasi wala naman tayong mapapala diyan. Iyong sa akin lang, kung may isyu, sagutin. Pero hindi nakakatulong na nagbabatuhan ng insulto,” she added.

“Ayaw sana natin na malihis sa tamang mga issues na dapat pagdebatehan, kasi aagawin pa namin iyong atensyon galing sa mga kandidato. Hindi naman kami kandidato,” Robredo further said. /cbb