Robredo willing to lead opposition vs Duterte admin; Palace unfazed

Vice President Leni Robredo (Photo from a video posted on her Facebook timeline)

Published: 2:38 p.m., July 10, 2018 | Updated: 12:13 a.m., July 11, 2018

Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Tuesday said she would be willing to lead the opposition against President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration.

“Maraming mga grupo na pareho naman iyong paniniwala. Maraming mga grupo na pareho naman iyong mga issues na gustong salungatin. Pero dahil hindi nag-usap-usap, hindi napapag-isa iyong boses. At iyon iyong role na gusto kong i-take—na siguraduhin na iyong mga boses na nagkakaisa ay lalong mapag-isa para lalong mapakinggan, siguraduhin na iyong mensaheng gustong ipaabot mas maintindihan, at hikayatin iyong iba din iyong paniniwala na makiisa,” Robredo said in a press briefing in Quezon City.

Although Robredo said she has long taken the role of an opposition leader, she said there was a need to unite the voice of the opposition.

“Maraming mga kababayan na nagsasabi sa akin na kailangan ng leader, at parati kong sinasabi na iyong sa atin, obligasyon nating lahat, ‘di ba—obligasyon nating lahat na ipaabot iyong saloobin natin,” she said.

“Obligasyon nating lahat na sumalungat kung kailangang sumalungat. Pero it is becoming apparent na mas malakas iyong loob ng iba na magboses kapag mayroong sinasandalan na grupo, mayroong sinasandalan na grupo na pareho iyong paniniwala sa kaniya. At iyon iyong role ko: na pag-isahin iyong mga boses na iyon,” she added.

The Vice President admitted the need to unite the voice of the opposition.

“Yong purpose lang naman pag-unite is to have one voice. Mahirap kasi kung lahat maingay. Mahirap kung ang daming nagsasalita nang sabay-sabay, lalong hindi naririnig. Pero kapag pinag-uusapan kung paano ipapaabot iyong mensahe, baka mas mabuti iyon. At iyon iyong value ng pag-u-unite ng iba’t ibang grupo,” she said.

Sought for comment, Malacañang remained unfazed by Robredo’s recent pronouncements.

“We wish her well,” Roque said in a text message to INQUIRER.net. “We’re not concerned. It is part of a healthy democracy.”

In a statement hours after Robredo’s remarks, Roque said the Vice President’s “decision to lead the opposition movement against the Duterte administration is hardly surprising.”
“The Palace believes that an active opposition has a vital role to play in a healthy, well-functioning democracy,” he said.

“Having said this, we expect that the opposition movement would not only promote responsible and constructive debate to push the national conversation to a higher level of political maturity but also present to our people a viable alternative platform of government to address the longstanding problems of the nation,” he added. “Our people deserve no less.”
/muf /atm