Despite ‘difficult time to be VP,’ Robredo ignoring ‘noise’

Vice President Leni Robredo poses for a group photo with the students and her fellow awardees Senator Risa Hontiveros, former Aquino administration Cabinet secretaries Dinky Soliman, Ging Deles and Loretta Rosales. PHOTO FROM OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Amid  stinging criticisms thrown at her for expressing dissent against the current administration, Vice President Leni Robredo admitted that now is the “most difficult time” for her to lead as the second highest official in the country.

“This is a difficult time to be the Vice President,” Robredo told an audience composed of female students and teachers in a women’s forum at Miriam College on Thursday.

Robredo noted that she “has been disinvited in so many affairs already” apparently because of her opposition to some policies of President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies.

But she said her office is taking the high ground, adding that she would tell her staff to focus on the job and ignore the noise around them.

“Kung aasikasuhin ang lahat ng ingay, baka hindi ko na magawa iyong trabaho (If we will bothered by the noise, then we might not be able to do our jobs). So we take the high ground, focus on our mandate, focus on what needs to be done despite the noise around,” she said.

READ: ‘Tasteless’ remarks won’t affect work— Robredo

Recently, a group formed on social media called “We Are Collective” released “Naga Leaks,” accusing Robredo’s late husband and former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo of coddling illegal gambling and drug lords when he was still the mayor of Naga City.

READ: Leni Robredo slams ‘Naga Leaks’ for attacking ‘defenseless’ Jesse

But rather than pay  attention to the rumors and fake news made against her, Robredo and her team devote their time to their flagship anti-poverty program “Angat Buhay.”

Before the forum, Robredo received the Eminent Women in Politics and Governance award by Miriam College’s Women and Gender Institute (WAGI).

Aside from her, Senator Risa Hontiveros and former peace adviser Teresita Deles, former human rights commissioner Loretta Rosales and former social welfare secretary Corazon Soliman, all Cabinet members of the Aquino administration, received the award. IDL/rga