Robredo: Otso Diretso bets have big chance of winning

Vice President Leni Robredo (center) poses with Otso Diretso senatorial candidates (from left) former House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, civic leader Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Sen. Bam Aquino, and Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano. (Photo from the Otso Diretso Facebook account)

CEBU CITY — Barely two weeks before the May 13 elections, Vice President Leni Robredo voiced confidence that the Otso Diretso candidates would make it to the Senate.

“I fully believe that we have a big chance of winning because it’s now the people who speak for us,” she said in Filipino during the launching of the Ahon Laylayan Koalisyon at Plaza Independencia in downtown Cebu City on Sunday.

“I’m listening to our Otso Diresto candidates and they are people we can be truly proud of. They are good, competent, and have strong principles in life. They are the persons we truly need. That is why I urge you to not only vote but campaign for them as well,” she added.

At least 2,000 people from different sectors gathered for the launching of the coalition which was attended by all eight opposition senatorial candidates.

They were election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Magdalo Rep. Garry Alejano, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc and Sen. Bam Aquino.

In an interview, Robredo said the plan was for their candidates to spread out in different areas nationwide so they could reach more voters.

But in the vote-rich island of Cebu, she said all eight candidates decided to be together.

Cebu has the biggest number of voters among all provinces in the country with over 3.1 million registered voters, according to data from the Commission on Elections.

But unlike previous campaign periods, Robredo said they didn’t have the support of many local government officials even in Cebu.

“We understand the situation and the political climate right now. This is a political reality we have to accept. We don’t have to be discouraged,” she said. “We’re grateful that many of our activities now are organized by volunteers on the ground.”

The Otso Diretso candidates were banking on the support of Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, who is the chief of the Liberal Party in Cebu.

Davide was not present, however, during the campaign sortie of the opposition slate on Sunday.

“Perhaps, they’re helping us in another way,” Robredo said.

According to her, early in the campaign, people were familiar with only two of the eight candidates of Otso Diretso — Roxas and Aquino.

“Now, whenever I meet people, they already know all eight candidates of Otso Diretso. They are even the ones saying ‘Otso Diretso tayo.’”

Roxas expressed hope that Cebuanos would vote straight for Otso Diretso candidates.

“May 13 is not just election day. It is also my birthday. Can I have your votes as my birthday gift? Also please vote for the other Otso Diretso candidates,” he said.

For his part, Aquino said winning in the elections might be an uphill climb for opposition candidates.

“But this is very much possible. They said it would take a miracle for us to win. But no. You yourselves can make it happen,” he said.

/atm