Robredo on being target of ouster moves: ‘There’s always that possibility’

BACOLOD CITY — Vice President Leni Robredo doesn’t discount the possibility that she will be the next target for removal from office – after Sen. Leila de Lima and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“Parati namang possible [There’s always that possibility],” she told Inquirer when asked about the issue.

“In fact, if you will recall, last year mayroon nang impeachment complaint na inihain sa akin sa House of Representatives,” she said. “Wala pa lang nag-sponsor na member of Congress kaya hindi siya natuloy. Pero parati siyang posible.”

[In fact, if you will recall, last year there was an impeachment complaint filed against me in the House of Representatives. However, no member of Congress sponsored it so it did not push through . But it’s always possible.]

Robredo was here in this Western Visayas city for the launching of Istorya ng Pagasa in Negros Occidental.

But Robredo, whose victory in 2016 elections is being contested by rival Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said such moves should not deter her and her supporters from fighting what they thought was right.

“If we are afraid, we will not be able to do anything,” she said. “For me it is clear, if something needs to be supported, we will support it. But if we see that it is wrong, we will not hesitate to make our voice be heard.”

On the eight-point drop in her trust ratings, Robredo said her approval ratings seemed to follow the same pattern as those of President Rodrigo Duterte.

When his ratings had gone done, so did hers, she added. When it went up, her ratings also had gone up, she said.

“When one offers one’s services, there are a lot who hope that you can bring change,” Robredo said. “And when we assume our post people look for that.”

“In the case of the vice president, there’s a lot who do not understand that the position does not carry the mandate or budget to implement programs,” she added. “But there is a need to use the people’s expectations as inspiration to even work harder even with the limited mandate given the Vice President’s office.” /atm