Robredo hopeful for ‘Otso Diretso’ win amid growing help from volunteers

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)

BACOLOD CITY — It ain’t over until the fat lady sings.

For Vice President Leni Robredo, she remains hopeful that opposition senatorial candidates would make it to the so-called Magic 12 especially since the spirit of volunteerism in their campaigns had been gaining momentum in the last stretch.

Robredo said she had high hopes that voters in Bacolod City and the rest of Negros Occidental would deliver the votes for Otso Diretso senatorial aspirants.

She noted Negros Occidental and Bacolod historically had stood for what was right as seen during the time of the Marcos dictatorship and other crucial moments in the country.

Robredo believes voters in this region would again show that they stand for what is right.

“The situation today is not much different,” she said.

Close to 3,000 people attended Monday’s launching of Robredo’s Ahon Laylayan Koalisyon-Negros Occidental chapter.

With her in the event were Otso Diretso senatorial candidates – reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former congressman Erin Tañada, and Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc.

The four other Otso Diretso senatorial bets are former Senator Mar Roxas, veteran election lawyer Romy Macalintal, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, and former Solicitor General Pilo Hilbay.

Robredo said the level of commitment and dedication shown by the volunteers campaigning for Otso Diretso candidates was very inspiring.

“All over the country, iyong mga volunteers gumagastos, sila iyong mga nagpapa-imprenta ng collaterals. Talagang lumalabas sa mga trabaho nila para magkampanya (The volunteers are the ones spending. They are the ones having collaterals printed. They take leaves from their work to campaign),” she said.

“The volunteers just need to feel that we are one in this fight,” she added while noting there were very few local officials supporting them.

Robredo said the lack of support they receive from local officials was a good opportunity to send the message that “the power lies in the people.”