Aika Robredo: Supporters of other candidates are not enemies

(FILE) Vice President Leni Robredo, accompanied by her daughters Aika and Tricia Robredo, personally filed on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, her certificate of candidacy for president in the 2022 national elections. (Photo by OVP)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo’s eldest daughter Aika Robredo reminded her mother’s supporters that those who are supporting other candidates for the presidency should not be treated as enemies.

In a virtual forum hosted by 1Sambayan, Aika was asked to talk about the presidential candidacy of her mother.

In her closing statement, Aika pleaded to her mothers’s supporters to be more understanding of people who are supporting other presidentiables.

“Alam ko po napaka-polarized ng sitwasyon natin pero sana po ‘yong mga taong iba ang paniniwala sa atin, ‘wag natin sila tignan bilang kalaban.  Intindihin po natin na may pinanggagalingan din silang konteksto,” she told the virtual audience which included various 1Sambayan conveners like former education secretary Armin Luistro and former state auditor Heidi Mendoza.

“Kami pong mga magkakapatid may isang recent interview po kami na parang sinasabi niya na napakaraming different kinds of supporters — may supporter na naglu-look down on others, may supporters going the extra mile.  Ako po, okay, parang okay naman na pagsabihan pero at the same time alam din po natin na the past six years bugbog na bugbog din sila,” she added.

Aika also called for open-mindedness amid observations that Robredo’s supporters are becoming extremely critical of those who are supporting former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

Aika said that based on their experience during her mother’s campaign sorties — it is easier to convince people if those who are campaigning for her mother are also willing to listen.

“So balansehin po natin na when we approach other people and try to convince them, siguro po una maging open-minded muna tayo at subukang intindihin kung saan sila nanggagaling.  Kasi sa tingin ko po kung alam nila na willing tayong makinig, mas bukas din silang makinig sa atin,” she explained.

Aika and her sisters Tricia, and Jillian, have accompanied their mother several times during the first month of the official campaign period.  When the Vice President kicked off her campaign in Camarines Sur and other parts of the Bicol region, her three daughters were with her.

Aika, Tricia, and Jillian were also present at Robredo’s grand rally in Iloilo City that attracted the biggest crowd of supporters so far.

However, Aika said there were also times during the campaign that they cross areas that are not supportive of the Vice President.

“‘Pag may nadadaanan po kaming ibang — may stretches sa kalsada na ‘pag dumadaan kami, ang pina-flash na sign ng ibang tao ‘yong sa kalaban, kasi I guess supporters sila ng kabila.  Pero alam niyo po ‘pag kumakaway kami sa kanila, regardless, ‘yong response nila ay kumakaway rin sila sa amin pabalik,” she said.

“So siguro po ‘yong pinaka-realization ko nito, kung tao sa tao ‘yong usapan maayos naman.  ‘Yong online talaga medyo magulo in the sense na because behind anonymity mas malakas ‘yong loob na makipag-bardagulan.  Pero siguro po subukan natin na tayo mismo talaga ‘yong bumaba, kumausap, umintindi, at tingin ko po mas ano rin, habaan ‘yong pasensya at choose kindness always, tingin ko po baka mas maging successful tayo,” she added.

The Vice President earlier called on her supporters to be calm, especially in dealing with people who are supporting other candidates.

READ: Robredo to supporters: ‘Pink’ must also be experienced, help others

READ: Robredo to supporters: Be calm, gentle and do good deeds

Robredo even issued a stern warning to her supporters who threatened to boycott an Iloilo-based restaurant that accommodated former senator Marcos during his visit to the area.

According to Robredo, it is more important to show love for fellow Filipinos despite differences in political views.

READ: Don’t do that: Robredo to supporters calling to boycott restos supportive of Marcos