Am not presidential? It’s not for Duterte to decide – Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo faces the public on Tuesday evening, February 16, 2021, following the decision of the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, dismissing the entire electoral protest filed by defeated candidate Bongbong Marcos. Photo by Jay Ganzon/OVP)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has laughed off President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest tirades against her, particularly his claims that she may not be fit to lead the country.

In a press briefing streamed online, Robredo stressed that the matter of whether or not she is presidential is not for Duterte to decide because such a choice rests in the hands of the voting public.

“Kapag ganoon kasi, hindi naman siya iyong magdedesisyon kung qualified ako o hindi, pero iyong taumbayan iyong magdedesisyon. Hindi ko naman dedepensahan iyong sarili ko,” Robredo said.

(If that’s the case, it is not him who would decide if I am qualified [to be a president] or not, it’s for the people to decide. I would not defend myself from that.)

Duterte, in his pre-recorded national address aired on Monday night, once again berated Robredo, who earlier criticized his call for the United States (US) to pay up if it wants to continue the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Philippines.

But Robredo expressed hope that Duterte could listen to suggestions even if those propositions would come from fellow government officials who belong to the opposition.

“Pero iyong sa akin lang, makakabuti sa ating lahat kapag nakikinig—kapag nakikinig sa mungkahi, nakikinig sa pagpansin ng ibang mga polisiya,” she added.

(But for me, it would be better for all of us if officials listen to suggestions and observations about state policies.)

In his speech during inspections of newly-delivered air assets at the Clark Air Base last Friday, Duterte said the US should pay if it wants the country to continue hosting American soldiers.

For Duterte, the Philippines is likely to become collateral damage in the unfortunate event that conflict erupts between the US and China, believing that the country could be a target because of the presence of American forces.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque even raised the point in which the US could give bigger military aid to Pakistan than its long-time ally in Asia – the Philippines.

The Palace said the Philippines should have around $16 billion, like Pakistan which got such an amount as counterterrorism assistance from the US from 2001 to 2017. Roque said that in the same period, the Philippines only received a total of $3.9 billion from the US.

READ: Duterte tells US: Pay if you want VFA to stay

READ: Duterte demands $16 billion for hosting US troop

But Robredo and Senator Panfilo Lacson deemed Duterte’s propositions as something like extortion, saying it appears the President is asking for payment in exchange for VFA.

The Vice President also emphasized that VFA’s abrogation should be based on merits.

READ: Robredo on Duterte’s ‘pay for VFA’ remark: ‘Parang extortion lang’

READ: Lacson to US gov’t: Not all Filipinos are extortionists

Robredo’s expression of her opinion regarding the issue caught the ire of Duterte anew. Duterte said he would not forgive Robredo for saying such things because she is a lawyer. He even asserted that the country’s foreign policy direction is part of a sitting president’s prerogative.

He then warned that Robredo would not make a good president and that he is worried about the possibility of her winning the 2022 presidential elections although Robredo has yet to announce her political plans for 2022.

READ: Duterte to Robredo: Extortion? Study more; you’re not fit to be president

“Pinakita ng buong mundo, lalo ngayong panahon ng krisis, na iyong mga leaders na marunong magkonsulta, iyong mga leaders na marunong tumanggap ng mga pagkukulang, iyong mga leaders na marunong makinig, mas consultative, mas maayos iyong response,” Robredo said during Tuesday evening’s press briefing at the OVP in Quezon City.

(The whole world has already proven, especially in this time of a global crisis, that leaders who know how to consult people, leaders who can accept and admit their shortcomings, leaders who know how to listen, deliver a more efficient response.)

“Syempre, ako, nalulungkot ako na iyong response sa ating mga mungkahi ay pang-iinsulto, pero sa akin, hindi ko naman iyon kontrolado. Ang kontrolado ko lang iyong gagawin ko. Nakakalungkot, pero tayo, sige lang. Hindi tayo nagpapaapekto doon,” she added.

(Of course, I am saddened that the response to our suggestions were mere insults, but for me, I cannot control that. What I can control are my actions. It is saddening, but we must continue, we do not get affected by such insults.)

KGA