MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno on Wednesday dared Vice President Leni Robredo to issue a categorical statement denying her reported call for her rivals in the presidential race to quit.
Moreno on Easter Sunday called for Robredo’s withdrawal from the presidential race, during a joint press conference with other presidentiables at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City.
“I challenge the honorable Vice President Leni Robredo. Deny. Deny niyo, na hindi niyo kami pinapaatras, na hindi niyo pinapa-atras si Norberto Gonzales, hindi niyo pina-atras si Senator Ping,” Moreno said in an ambush interview in Bohol.
(“I challenge the honorable Vice President Leni Robredo.Deny. Deny that you are not making us quit. That you are not asking Norberto Gonzales, Senator Ping (Lacson) to withdraw from the presidential race.)
“Ang tanong ko, kayo lang ba ang may karapatan tumakbo? Kayo lang ba ang may karapatan na maging kandidato sa pagkapangulo? Kayo lang ba ang magaling?”
(My question is. Are you not the only one who has the right to run for president? Are you the only capable candidate?)
The Manila mayor also challenged Robredo’s campaign manager, former senator Bam Aquino, to deny the alleged call by the Vice President for her rivals to quit the race.
“I challenge Bam Aquino, sige tignan natin, tignan natin (let’s see, let’s see). I challenge Bam Aquino to deny it. I challenge the honorable Vice President na hindi kayo nag-attempt. Para makita ng taumbayan (that you did not attempt, so the people will know),” he said.
Moreno, along with Gonzales and Lacson, held the joint press conference to condemn the alleged call of Robredo’s camp for their withdrawal.
Robredo did not make such calls publicly, but her supporters once did.
READ: Isko pokes fun at #WithdrawIsko, Robredo’s call for unity after she ‘dropped’ LP
It was Moreno, however, who eventually called for Robredo’s withdrawal in the upcoming polls. He received mixed reactions from the public.
READ: 3 bets hit Robredo: Who gains? VP camp asks