Robredo: VP post not spring board for presidency

A VICE president must not use his position in order to become president for future elections.

So said vice presidential candidate and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo at a forum Monday.

“Ang vice president hindi dapat na nangangarap na maging presidente dahil oras na mangarap, tapos na siya. Yung paggawa ng trabaho, pag ginamit niya pangangampanya sa politika na yun kaya sana hindi nag aambisyon maging presidente,” she said at a vice presidential forum held at University of the Philippines Diliman.

Robredo did not say whether she was referring to Vice President Jejomar Binay, who had been accused of campaigning and had revealed his intention to run for president right from the start.

The role of a vice president must be “inspirational,” said Robredo.

“Dapat mag draw ng national attention sa advocacies na kelangan i-push. Dati nireregard na spare tire. Tinitignan ko siya na napakalaking pagkakataon,” she said.

If elected, Robredo said she would push for inclusive growth and anti-poverty programs. She said she would also be likely outside of Manila and go to areas where attention is needed.

Escudero, meanwhile, said that a vice president must go to areas where the president could not visit because of too much work.

“Dapat paramdam ang presensya sa lugar at sektor na di kaya ng atensyon ng pangulo dahil sa sobrang dami ng ginagawa,” he said.