Robredo must secure NCR votes to boost win in May polls — Trillanes

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has to secure votes in the National Capital Region (NCR) to boost her win in the May 9 elections, former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV said Sunday.

Citing their internal survey, Trillanes said Robredo is getting close to the frontrunner. He, however, did not mention who the leading candidate was.

READ: Internal survey shows opponent leading, but Robredo catching up — Trillanes

“Dito po sa survey natin, dito po sa NCR, dumidikit na po ang laban,” he said during the BISErbisyong LENI program.

(In our survey, here in NCR, the fight is getting really close.)

“Kaya nga na-mention ko kagabi, importanteng makuha ni VP Leni ang Metro Manila para magtuloy siya sa tagumpay sa Mayo,” Trillanes, who is included in Robredo’s senatorial slate, said.

(That is why I said last night, it is important that VP Leni get Metro Manila votes to boost her victory in May.)

In the 17 local government units in Metro Manila, the vice president topped in four cities, said Trillanes.

“Dito po sa NCR, na-identify na po namin ‘yung mga strong areas ni VP. Meron po siyang apat na siyudad na siya po ‘yung lamang. Doon sa iba, ano pa, naghahabol pa po siya,” he said.

(Here in NCR, we identified the areas where Robredo’s support is strong. There are four cities wherein she is the leading. In other areas, she is catching up.)

Aside from Metro Manila, Robredo is likewise trailing the frontrunner’s votes in Mindanao, said Trillanes.

She, however, is leading the presidential race in Southern Luzon to include her bailiwick Bicol.

READ: Pro-Robredo group warns CamSur mayors

Robredo and the frontrunner, meanwhile, are even in Central Luzon and Visayas, Trillanes shared.

Based on the latest Pulse Asia preferred presidential survey, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. still leads the presidential race followed by Robredo.

READ: Marcos still leads new Pulse Asia survey, but Robredo’s number rises by 9 points

Emotional meltdown

Meanwhile, Trillanes added that Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno is having an “emotional meltdown” as he continues with his attacks on Vice President Leni Robredo.

“Ang bibirahin itong number two dito sa kanilang press [conference] at pinagwi-withdraw pa, ‘di ba? So, palagay ko dito ay nakita kong wala na, parang nagkakaroon ng emotional meltdown itong si ano–si Mayor Isko,” Trillanes said.

(They will attack the number two during their press conference and ask her to withdraw, right? So, I think Mayor Isko had an emotional meltdown.)

Although Robredo ranked second in the latest Pulse Asia voter preference survey, Moreno is urging her to quit the presidential race. 

“Ang nakakapagtaka dito, hindi natin alam, baka may mga areglong nangyayari na diyan at maliwanag naman kasi simula’t sapul na itong si Mayor Isko ay Marcos loyalist daw siya eh, ‘di ba? Talagang maganda ang relasyon nila,” Trillanes responded, referring to former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who is the survey frontrunner.

(What’s confusing here, we do not know if there is an agreement and it is clear that from the start, Mayor Isko is a Marcos loyalist. They have good relations.)

“At nakita rin natin all throughout the campaign, hindi mo marining nang negatibo iyan ano na mga statements laban dito kay Marcos,” the Senate hopeful added.

(And we saw all throughout the campaign, you cannot hear him give statements against Marcos.)

Trillanes, however, noted that Moreno camp’s is urging the Marcos family to pay their estate tax which has ballooned to P203 billion.

“Wala na, parang nakita niya kasing naglalaho ‘yung kanyang mga pangarap na akala niya noong una ano siya, talagang naka-destino na siyang maging presidente ng Pilipinas,” he went on.

(It seems like he saw his dreams disappear as he initially thought he was destined to be the president of the Philippines.)

Robredo has refused to engage Moreno’s rants, pointing out that the election is bigger than the two of them.

je/MUF