Escudero, Robredo rate Aquino administration with passing grade

Two vice presidential aspirants, Senator Francis Escudero and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo, gave the Aquino administration a passing grade during a forum in Quezon City on Thursday.

“6 or 7; pasado definitely,” Escudero said when asked to assess the performance of the present administration.

For her part, Robredo gave the Aquino administration a 7 or 8 passing grade.

Both noted the government’s success in fighting corruption, especially in reforming some of the most corrupt agencies before President Benigno Aquino III took office in 2010.

“Pinakahamahalaga ‘yung anti-corruption na nasimulan; ‘di pa perpekto pero marami ang nasampulan,” Robredo said.

She cited in particular how the “most mistrusted agency,” which is the Department of Public Works and Highways, became one of the trusted agencies under the Aquino’s leadership.

But while they gave the Aquino administration a passing grade, the two vice presidential bets also agreed that the government failed to immediately address the most pressing problems in the country such as the mass transport system.

Escudero and Robredo were the only candidates who attended the vice presidential forum.