Vice President Leni Robredo, INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo admitted on Friday that there have been plans to hold a meeting with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao together as part of her plans to create a united opposition slate for the 2022 polls.
Robredo, however, did not go into details of what the meeting would be about, as she does not want to preempt the flow of the discussions.
“Mayroong plano. Mayroong plano pero hindi pa siya natutuloy. Pero ako kasi, ayaw ko rin na parang i-preempt. Ayaw kong i-preempt iyong detalye ng mga pinagmi-mitingan kasi ayaw ko rin na iyon pa tuloy iyong maging dahilan para hindi matuloy iyong mga usapan,” Robredo told reporters in San Fernando, Pampanga.
(There are plans, but they have not materialized yet. But for me, I do not want to preempt that. I don’t want to preempt the details of our meeting because I do not want that to be a reason why the discussions did not push through.)
“Iyong sa akin lang, lagi ko namang pinapakiusap na ganoon naman parati iyong bargaining, ‘di ba, na patas lahat. Patas lahat, hindi sariling interes iyong papairalin, pero iyong sana lang—tingin ko naman ganoon naman lahat, eh,” she added.
(For me, that is what I have asked people to understand, that bargaining works like that, it is fair to everyone. Fair, and not personal interests are in play, I hope it would happen — I think everyone wishes it to be that way.)
Robredo met with Moreno and Pacquiao already, in an effort to unite the opposition and present a single candidate against the administration’s bet for the 2022 presidential elections, albeit done separately.
READ: OVP on Robredo’s 2022 plans: Still pending, meetings with Pacquiao, Moreno set
Previously, she also said that she would be willing to back a Moreno-Pacquiao tandem if it will bring an end to the current regime, and be able to beat the candidate anointed by the administration.
But as of now, no details of any agreement have been made public, except for Robredo’s discussion with Senator Panfilo Lacson — which did not end well as Lacson proposed to have all presidential bets file their certificates of candidacy and then withdraw for the candidate with the highest chance of winning.
READ: Lacson says Robredo’s ‘outright’ rejection of ‘unification formula’ left him ‘quite disappointed’ | OVP confirms Robredo’s separate meetings with Lacson, Gordon for 2022 polls
Robredo again expressed hope that candidates can try to sit down and talk, so that the decision that would be best for the country will be available.
“Naiintindihan ko iyong gaano kahirap kasi iyon nga, sinasabi ko nga na hindi kasi kami pare-parehong partido. Talagang iyong ideal, hindi mo ma-a-achieve na madali. Pero sa akin, iyong hope ko lang ngayon na sana lahat kami magde-decide hindi to protect ourselves, hindi to protect our groups, pero kung ano iyong pinaka best formula para sa bayan natin,” she said.
(I understand how hard that is because as I have said, we do not come from similar parties. The ideal unity, we cannot achieve that quickly and easily. But I still hope that now, we can all decide not to protect ourselves, not to protect our groups, but to decide on what is the best formula for our country.)
Speaking of supporters, Robredo also thanked people who are backing her, especially grassroots groups that have sprouted recently to express their desire to let the Vice President join the presidential race.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat na nagpapakita ng suporta. In fact, nagulat nga ako rito sa Pampanga pagdating ko rito—pagdating ko kanina, mayroon sa aking isang grupong sumalubong. Kinukuwento kung papaano nila ako tinutulungan on the ground. Sa akin, I don’t take it lightly,” Robredo said.
(I am also grateful for those who have shown support. In fact I was shocked to see people here in Pampanga when I arrived earlier, showing their support. They welcomed me and told me how they were helping me on the ground. For me, I don’t take it lightly.)
“Pero again, kahit hindi ko siya tine-take lightly, klaro naman sa amin lahat. Ako, karamihan naman sa mga supporters ko hindi naman iyan mga blind supporters, eh,” she added.
(Again, even if I do not take that lightly, it is clear for all of us. Besides most of my supporters are not blind supporters.)