Vice President Leni Robredo. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday responded to false accusations from critics that she is on a vacation in Palawan, assuring the public that she was working at her office in Quezon City.
In a Facebook post, Robredo clarified that it was not her who was seen in Palawan — instead, it was Filipina singer-actress and healthy food advocate Rachel Alejandro, whom opposition critics mistook as the Vice President.
Robredo laughed off the incident, but at the same time apologized to Alejandro for being dragged into the fuss.
“Was initially confused why a number of people are sending me this. Kalma lang po. Hindi ako ‘yan. Andito po ako sa opisina, wala sa Palawan,” Robredo said in her post, which included a screenshot of the critic’s post.
(Was initially confused why a number of people are sending me this. Just relax, that’s not me. I am at the office, not in Palawan.)
“Ako na po humihingi ng paumanhin kay Rachel Alejandro,” she added.
(I am also apologizing to Rachel Alejandro.)
The netizen, whose name was hidden by Robredo for privacy purposes, asked where Robredo was, and then gave an answer: “she is busy in Palawan.” The netizen also attached a photo of Alejandro in El Nido with the post.
Alejandro posted the photo on her Instagram account last January 20, sharing a picturesque image of El Nido’s beach.
The singer-actress took notice of Robredo’s post, commenting that people also told her that she looks a lot like the Vice President — before hinting that she could act as Robredo should a biopic be in the works.
“VP Leni, ako din po, I got so many comments that I look like you when I posted that photo on IG. Napa-smile nalang ako,” Alejandro said.
“Basta pag may movie tungkol sa buhay niyo, may idea na kayo sino ang puedeng mag-portray. I don’t believe we’ve properly met but let me use this opportunity to thank you for all that you do,” she added.
In reply, Robredo said that she is embarrassed that Alejandro is dragged into the issue, and shy over comparisons to the celebrity.
“Nakakahiya sayo, Rachel. Thank you for being very gracious about it. Pasensiya na, nadamay ka. But I am so flattered to be compared to you,” she replied.
Robredo, a leading opposition figure, has often been a victim of misleading information or disinformation since elected into office in 2016. Recently, Robredo and the Office of the Vice President have stepped up efforts to combat the spread of so-called fake news by calling out people and netizens who give create and share or circulate wrong or made-up information.
The Vice President has recently self-isolated, following visits to various areas in Southern Luzon and Bicol Region for her office’s anti-poverty programs and community learning hub initiative.