Robredo aware remarks may irk other bets: Question answered ‘in my honest opinion’

FIEL PHOTO: Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER.net/Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has admitted knowing that her outright criticism of other presidential aspirants during an interview with talk show host Boy Abunda would ruffle some feathers and elicit strong reactions from her rivals.

However, Robredo said in an interview on Thursday that she did not want to be evasive when asked why Filipinos should not vote for other aspirants.

“Ako ayoko nang dagdagan pa, ayoko nang dagdagan pa ‘yung conversation. Alam ko na may mga mara-ruffle ako na feathers pero tinatanong kasi ako eh,” she explained on the sidelines of her office’s Swab Cab program in Tanay, Rizal.

(For me, I don’t want to add to the talks or prolong the conversation. I know that I will have ruffled some feathers but I was asked the question.)

“Ayoko naman na sumagot na parang umiiwas, sa akin lang ‘yung tanong, sinagot ko. In my honest opinion, ‘yun talaga ‘yung palagay ko na kailangan ko isagot,” she added.

(I do not want to answer like I have been avoiding questions, so I was asked that question and then I answered. In my honest opinion, those are the answers that I should give.)

Robredo also noted that she was ready for the possible outburst of other candidates who may be affected by her criticisms.

“Ready naman ako, ready ako pero para mag-react pa sa mga reaction nila, tingin ko hindi naman necessary na,” she added.

(I am ready for that but to react towards their reactions?  I don’t think that’s necessary anymore.)

Robredo was asked during the “political fast talk” segment of the one-on-one interview with Abunda to give a short explanation of why other candidates should not be chosen by voters. For former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — her opponent in the 2016 vice presidential race, she said voters should not pick him because he is a liar and does not show up during difficult times.

“Number one, sinungaling. Pangalawa, in the difficult moments, hindi siya nagpapakita,” she said.

(Number one, a liar. Second, he avoids difficult situations by staying away.)

For Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Robredo said his stand on some issues has been vague.  For Senator Panfilo Lacson, she thinks the former police chief has not done much on the ground.

READ: Robredo slams Bongbong, rivals in Boy Abunda’s interview

The camps of Marcos Jr. and Lacson issued different reactions to Robredo’s remarks. Through his personal Twitter account, Lacson rejected Robredo’s observations. Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who is running for vice president, has defended running mate Lacson.

Meanwhile, Marcos Jr.’s chief-of-staff, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, said in a message to INQUIRER.net that the former senator refuses to engage in bickering, as he is offering unity as a platform.

“What presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos is offering to the Filipino people is his unifying brand of leadership. He does not and will not engage in negative and hateful campaigning,” Rodriguez claimed.

KGA