Baguilat disputes Erice: Some really seek leadership with machinery, ambition

MANILA, Philippines — A Liberal Party (LP) senatorial candidate countered a former member’s tirades against Vice President Leni Robredo, saying that some people really only think about following people with a traditional politician’s brand of leadership and one who has the machinery for the elections.

In a video posted by LP’s official Facebook page on Tuesday, former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said that Robredo has a different leadership style, as she supposedly puts country above all else.

In addition to that, Baguilat said that the outpouring of support for Robredo after she announced her candidacy last Thursday is a testament to her leadership abilities.

“May mga tao na ang hanap ‘yung leadership na pang-trapo; ‘yung leadership ng makinarya at pera na magagamit para sa pansariling ambisyon. Ang leadership ni VP Leni iisa lang ang tuon: Ano ba ang mabuti para sa bansa?” he asked.

(Some people are really looking for the leadership of traditional politicians, those with the political machinery, to use for their personal ambition.  The leadership of VP Leni focuses on one thing: what is best for the country?)

“Nakita naman natin noong Thursday ‘yung tremendous and overwhelmingly positive response ng taumbayan sa leadership na interes lang ng bayan ang inuuna. ‘Yan ang totoong leadership; a leadership that inspires,” he added.

(We saw last Thursday the tremendous and overwhelmingly positive response of the people regarding her leadership which only puts the interest of the country upfront.  That is true leadership, a leadership that inspires.)

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=317702446829776&extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing

Baguilat, in his video statement, did not specify whom he was referring to, but in a tweet, he mentioned former LP member and incumbent Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice who recently raised questions about Robredo’s leadership of the party.

READ: Proud dilawan no more: Why Erice left LP and why Robredo isn’t the right leader

“I feel betrayed, Cong Egay Erice. We fought for our principles for 3 years in the opposition. We were harassed, tinanggalan ng pondo, pinahirapan (defunded, dealt with a hard time). But we persevered, inspired by VP Leni’s leadership. Now, selling your soul for 20 pcs of silver?” Baguilat asked.

I feel betrayed. Cong Egay Erice. We fought for our principles for 3 years in the opposition. We were harassed, tinanggalan ng pondo, pinahirapan. But we persevered, inspired by VP Leni’s leadership. Now, selling your soul for 20 pcs of silver?

— Teddy B. Baguilat (@TeddyBaguilatJr) October 12, 2021

Erice said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart on Tuesday morning that Robredo should have plotted a direction for the party for the election season.

The lawmaker is now with Aksyon Demokratiko, which supports the presidential bid of its party president, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

“By September 15 I resigned because I thought, the party is becoming irrelevant because it is already failing to do its responsibilities. I think it’s a problem of leadership within the party, and I was right — even Vice President Leni did not run under the Liberal Party,” Erice said.

“We are expecting her to provide us the direction for all of us in LP.  When I left LP, a lot of members called me up and eventually joined Aksyon Demokratiko even in the Visayas,” he added.

Baguilat also echoed Robredo’s apparent tirades to her opponents in the 2022 national elections — including Moreno — about not making a clear stand on critical issues.

During her speech where she announced the intention to run for the presidency, Robredo said that unity talks with other candidates like Moreno failed because there were differences in significant issues that were discussed.

“Pangalawa: Malinaw sa laban na ito na para talunin natin bulok na klase ng pulitika, ang kailangan, linaw ng paninindigan at prinsipyo. Sabi nga ni Ma’am: Kung hindi mo man lang kayang sabihing mali ang mali, nakaninong panig ka ba talaga?” Bagulat said.

(Second: It is clear that in this fight to end this rotten system of politics, we need to make it clear what a candidate’s stand and principles are.  The Vice President said it: If you cannot call out the wrongs, on what side are you really with?)

“Malinaw ang panig ni VP Leni— sa panig ng taumbayang gustong wakasan ang gutom, paghihirap, at kamatayan. Kailangan itong palitan ng isang matino, mahusay, at may prinsipyong pamamahala,” he added.

(VP Leni’s side has been clear — it is the side of the people who want to end hunger, poverty, and death.  The government should be replaced by a righteous, efficient, and principled rule.)

Erice said in the interview with ANC that it was hard for him to leave LP, which has been his party for over 18 years.  But he eventually did so as they were unsure of what the party would do, especially in the 2022 national elections roundup.

According to him, he and other key LP members like former Interior secretary Mar Roxas initiated talks with Robredo around three months ago to ask her about what would be LP’s plan for the 2022 polls.

However, Robredo told them that she was not planning to run for any elective post — even for the local elections.  When they turned to LP secretary general and Quezon City 6th District Rep. Kit Belmonte, they were urged to wait as negotiations were already underway between Robredo and Moreno.

It can be recalled that the unity talks failed, with both Robredo and Moreno now running for the presidency.

READ: Robredo reveals reason for breakdown of unity talks with other candidates