Robredo ‘inspired’ by entertainers who speak up on issues

Vice President Leni Robredo (Photo from the Office of the Vice President)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday lauded entertainers for speaking up on national issues, such as the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Broadcaster Ely Saludar asked Robredo about the issue during “BISErbisyong LENI,” her weekly program on AM radio station DZXL.

“I’m inspired that there are celebrities who have the courage,” Robredo said in Filipino. “It’s not easy for those who find the courage to speak up because they’re vulnerable to attack. These people are brave for saying what’s on their mind.”

Robredo said these celebrities give other the inspiration to speak up.

“What’s good about this is that they give inspiration for others to also speak up. That’s really the essence of democracy — that we are free to express what’s on our mind without fear of reprisal,” she said.

On the other hand, the Vice President expressed her frustration over leaders who refuse to comment on social issues.

“Our frustration is that those who hold power, those who I’m expecting to take the lead, are the ones whose voices we don’t hear,” she said.

On Friday, singer Regine Velasquez blasted Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. regarding the dispute between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.

Locsin said earlier that China should just pay for giant clams that its fishermen had been poaching in the area — “like fish in market” — instead of getting into a war with the Philippines.

“Ang akala ko pa naman matalino ka. Ako ay simpling tao lamang na may simpleng pagiisip. These people are invading our territory they are not just taking food sinistral nila ang ating karagatan!!!!” Velasquez said in a tweet.

[All along I thought you were intelligent. I’m a simple person with a simple mind. These people are invading our territory. They are not just taking food . They are destroying our sea.]

Ang akala ko pa naman matalino ka. Ako ay simpling tao lamang na may simpleng pagiisip. These people are invading our territory they are not just taking food sinistral nila ang ating karagatan!!!!

— regine alcasid (@reginevalcasid) April 19, 2019

Locsin replied and pointed out: “Pero ang problem ay hindi po territorio natin yun. EEZ [exclusive economic zone].”

[But the problem is that’s not our territory. EEZ.]

/atm