MANILA, Philippines – If Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo seems more and more determined to win the country’s second-highest elective post, both supporters and detractors have her rival, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr, to thank.

A feisty Robredo on Saturday, May 7, spoke to media to belie claims made by Marcos.

The senator accused Robredo and the ruling party of plotting to cheat in the May 9 elections and to oust presidential race front runner Rodrigo Duterte if he is elected president, and Robredo, vice president. 

Robredo laughed off her rival’s claims, telling him that while candidates are free to pick their own strategy to win on May 9, he shouldn’t do so at her expense.

Besides, Robredo pointed out, she’s not the one with presidential dreams.

“Alam po natin lahat na si Senator Marcos, matagal nang nasa sights niya ‘yung presidency talaga. Kung meron sa aming dalawa na may pagkakataon na may balak na mag impeach ng pangulo, siya ‘yun. Ako, wala akong ganoong ambisyon. Andito ako para sa isang posisyon, hindi ambisyon,” Robredo told reporters.

(We all know that it’s Senator Marcos who has long set his sights on the presidency. So between the two of us, the one who would impeach a president given the chance would be him. I don’t have that ambition. I’m here for a position, not ambition.)

The two candidates are neck and neck in the 2016 vice presidential race. Their nearest rival, Senator Francis Escudero, is roughly 10 percentage points away from the two poll leaders.

Among the 6 vying for the presidency, it was Robredo who started with the lowest numbers in preference surveys. She has risen steadily, hitting a high of 30%.

May 7 is the last day of the official campaign period. – Rappler.com