Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis Escudero. CDN and INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Sunday responded to her rival Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero who said that her rise in surveys was due to the money and machinery of the ruling coalition.
In a statement, Robredo said that her campaign is run by volunteers and supporters who believe in her capacity to lead a government which is responsive to the needs of the marginalized.
READ: ‘Almost there’ — Leni Robredo over jump in latest SWS poll
“Aminado tayo na tumatakbo ang ating kampanya sa tulong ng makinarya. Ngunit hindi ito makinarya ng sinuman, kundi makinaryang umuusad sa tulong ng mga volunteer at mga tagasuporta na naniniwala sa ating malinis na adhikain para ipaglaban ang mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan,” Robredo said.
(I admit that my campaign is run with the help of machinery. But this machinery is not owned by anyone, instead this machinery is run with the help of volunteers and supporters who believe in my sincere advocacies to fight for the marginalized in our society.)
The lawmaker said that her campaign is hinged on hope and continuity of the reforms started by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.
“Ang ating kampanya’y pinaandar ng pag-asa—para sa tuluy-tuloy na asenso at reporma sa pamahalaan at serbisyo sa taumbayan,” she added.
(My campaign is hinged on hope for the continuity of progress and reforms in the administration and service to the people.)
In the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll, Robredo placed second while Escudero is “statistically tied” with Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in first place.
READ: Escudero, Marcos ‘statistically tied’; Robredo close behind—Pulse Asia
Escudero said that he is elated that despite lacking the machinery and money of his rivals, he is still on top of the survey polls.
“Si Congresswoman Leni suportado ng administrasyon, buong makinarya ng administrasyon at marami silang pera. Si Senator (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.) naman, maliwanag din marami siyang resources. Na lamang ako kahit .02 o .01 okay lamang ’yon dahil sa dulo wala naman akong pera tulad nila, wala naman akong makinarya tulad nila,” Escudero told reporters in Cebu City on Saturday.
(Congresswoman Leni is supported by the administration with the help of its machinery and money. Meanwhile, Senator Marcos apparently has a lot of resources. It’s all right that I am still ahead of them, even a meager .02 or .01 points, because I lack the money and machinery they have.) RAM