Robredo grateful for support of Cebu local party even it didn’t pick Kiko

Vice President Leni Robredo in his  visit to Negros Occidental with a meeting with the chapter leaders of Murcia Women’s Association – Lakas ng Kababaihan (MWA-LNK) in Sitio Sumbingco, Brgy. Damsite in Murcia, Negros Occidental. FILE photo / Jay Ganzon of OVP

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo is very much thankful for the support given to her by Cebu-based local political party Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) even if it picked another vice presidential aspirant, stressing that people are still free to make their own choices.

Robredo was asked during a press conference in Cebu City on Monday to react about BO-PK’s endorsement of her and Senate President Vicente Sotto III for the presidential and vice presidential race — instead of her running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan.

According to Robredo, who was seated beside BO-PK candidate and former Cebu Mayor Tommy Osmeña, she would have preferred the local party to endorse Pangilinan, but it is how some things go.

“Siyempre kahit sino may laya na pumili ng gusto niyang kandidato. Of course, if you ask me, I would have preferred na BOPK endorses Kiko. Pero having said that, I am very thankful for the endorsement of the BOPK,” she said.

(Of course everyone has the freedom to pick his or her preferred candidate.  Of course, if you ask me, I would have preferred that BOPK endorses Kiko.  But Pero having said that, I am very thankful for the endorsement of the BOPK.)

Aside from that, the Vice President said that her relationship with the Osmeñas, especially Mayor Tommy, has always been personal rather than political, as the local chief executive has been good friends with her late husband, former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo.

“Kami naman ni Mayor Tommy, ‘yung relationship naming is more personal than political. ‘Nung buhay pa ‘yung asawa ko, Jesse and Mayor Tommy have been very good friends and his endorsement is something that I really value,” Robredo added.

(Me and Mayor Tommy, our relationship has been more personal than political. When my husband was still alive, Jesse and Mayor Tommy have been very good friends and his endorsement is something that I really value.)

As for Pangilinan, Robredo said that they try to gain a lot of ground by helping each other, and working as one despite some sectors endorsing one of them only.

“Sa amin naman, we regard each other — Senator Kiko and I — we regard each other as partners. Meron namang mag-eendorse sa kanya na ako ‘yung hindi dalang pangulo. So, sa amin basta we work as one– we work as one. Kino-compensate kung saan may nawawala,” she explained.

(For me and Senator Kiko, we regard each other as partners.  There were instances where he gets endorsed but I do not.  So, for us, as long as we work as one team, we can compensate for the support that might be lost.)

“Basta kami nagkakaintindihan na we are working for the entire slate. And I am sure, yung BOPK ganoon din. ‘Yung pagdesisyon naman nila hindi naman naka-base sa personal relations. Kahit ako, hindi kaagad ako na-endorse ng BOPK. Talagang pinag– pinag-isipan pa nila, pinagdiskusyunan,” she added.

(But we really understand that we are working for the entire slate.  And I am sure, the BO-PK also feels that way.  The decision they made was not based on personal relations.  Even me, I was not endorsed by the BO-PK immediately, it was carefully thought of, decided upon.)

Robredo and Pangilinan are facing an uphill battle for the 2022 national elections, as past surveys have placed them in the middle of the pack.  However, Robredo’s camp expressed delight after a survey released last November showed that her numbers were improving, now on second place behind former senator Bongbong Marcos.

READ: Robredo surprised over warm public response to presidential bid, unaffected by ‘frontrunner’ 

Pangilinan on the other hand reminded the public that the most important poll is still election day itself — implying that a lot of things may change in the months leading to the 2022 national elections.

READ: Pangilinan downplays ‘reality’ of low survey rankings 

JPV