FILE Vice President Leni Robredo (Photos by OVP Photographers)
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has disputed claims that she is evading a certain interview because of the apprehension that the panelists may be hostile to her, insisting that she had nothing to be afraid of as she has nothing to hide.
Robredo was asked during an ambush interview in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday about how she viewed her attendance to the dzRH presidential interview where some of the panelists were said to be critical of her.
The vice president said that it would not diminish her personality in case any of the panelists disregard courtesy or professionalism.
“Wala naman kasi akong tinatago, so bakit ako kakabahan? ‘Yong sakin naman […] alam mo natatakot ‘yung iba na sinasabi nila na ‘yung ganito, na yung sa panel kung tirahin ka grabe pero sa akin kasi hindi naman ako ‘yung mababawasan,” she told reporters.
“Kung hindi imaging professional ‘yung pag-conduct, hindi naman ‘yun kabawasan sa akin,” she added.
Robredo also said that it would be a good chance to hear concerns from panelists as she would be given the chance to try address the grievances.
She added that it would not be so different to her previous stint in President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, where she was subjected to constant criticism despite being a cabinet official.
“If at all, mas mabuti ngang ma-confront sa akin ‘yung mga sinsabi nila sa akin para meron akong platform na magpaliwanag. Kasi ngayon hindi ako nabibigyan ng platform kasi marami talaga ‘yung sa social media naman alam—alam niyo naman algorithms ‘yun eh,” Robredo further said.
“So, marami silang sinasabi na hindi ako nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na sabihin kung ano ang totoo. So, ngayon ang dami ko nang pinasok na ganito, noong nag-ICAD ako, noong naging member ako ng Cabinet. Talagang ‘yung pinapasok ko h—hindi siya madali na mga sitwasyon. Pero sa akin naman, responsibility ito. Hindi naman pwedeng dahil hindi madali, aayaw ako,” she added.
Robredo’s remarks came on the heels of her social media post debunking allegations that she backed out of the DZRH interview out of dread that she would be grilled by “unfriendly” personalities.
Ang totoo: I was invited to an interview with DZRH, initially set earlier this month. Ipapasok na sana sa schedule ko, but we were later told it was moved. Yung bagong sched nila was already in conflict with ours, as I had other commitments lined up.
— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) January 23, 2022
She explained that due to scheduling conflicts, she had to decline the schedule assigned to her for the interview. However, she was quick to offer another date “if they are willing to adjust.”
Actually puwede ako next week. Kung willing sila to adjust, iset na natin. Handa naman ako lagi humarap😊 https://t.co/ihtwqGbbix
— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) January 23, 2022
While no names had been mentioned, among the panelists who would conduct the DZRH interview was political science professor Antonio Contreras, who was a known Robredo critic.
In his Facebook post, Contreras claimed he will accord Robredo the same treatment that he would provide to the other presidential bets who will attend the interview.
“In any case, I am happy that Leni Robredo has changed her mind and expressed interest in a special date solely for her. I leave it up to the organizers to decide if this is acceptable,” he said.
“I am already excited and I look forward to that special schedule for her. I hope it pushes thru. I will make myself available. I would not miss such opportunity. As to people concerned about my fairness in the proceedings, rest assured that I will treat Leni Robredo no more and no less the way I will treat the other candidates,” he added.
Earlier, Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) vice president and dzRH Nationwide station manager Cesar Chavez confirmed that Robredo would be attending the forum on February 2,
Chavez also clarified that the original schedule — from January 4 to 14 — was scrapped because most of their personnel contracted COVID-19, or during the early part of the recent surge in infections.
Bakit inurong ang original scheduled airing ng #BakitIkaw na dapat ay mula January 4 to 14?
Halos lahat ng TV technician, cameraman, at News Center personnel ay nagka-COVID first 2 weeks ng January. 27 po sila.
Pero sila Sen Lacson at Ex-Sen Marcos lang po ang confirmed noon.
— Cesar Chavez (@sarchavez) January 24, 2022
At any rate, Robredo’s confirmation to attend the dzRH interview would have put to rest claims that just like her political rival, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., she backed out of an interview because she did not want to be confronted by alleged critics.