Robredo wants ‘patriots’ in opposition Senate slate

Aika Rey

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Robredo wants ‘patriots’ in opposition Senate slate
'We want leaders who are courageous enough to stand for whatever they think would be right for the Filipino people,' says Vice President Leni Robredo

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo wants the opposition’s Senate slate to be filled with “patriots” who will fight to ensure that the country will not return to a dictatorship. 

Robredo made the statement in a Rappler Talk interview on Thursday, September 13, when asked about the kind of senatorial candidates people can expect from the opposition.

The Vice President said the choice for the opposition slate would be a “collaborative effort” among various groups but the final slate would be people “with a track record of standing up for one’s conviction even in a difficult situation.”

“Kasi tingin ko, ito ‘yung panahon na kailangan natin, ng mga tao…ang patriots. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung kailangan natin kasi mahirap. This is an age of populism. Maraming mga indications na gusto ng leadership na more on authoritarian style. We’ve also had a long history na hindi yan nagwork sa ‘tin yang style na ‘yan. At kokontrahin natin,” she said.

 (In my view, this is the time that we, the people really need, patriots. We really need them because of these hard times. This is an age of populism. There are many indications that the current leadership favors more an authoritian style. We’ve had a long history [to prove] that style doesn’t work here. And we will counter it.)

“We don’t want to wake up one day and find ourselves in a situation na ‘yung sinikwal na natin dati, nandito na naman tayo ngayon. Kasi nakakahiya naman sa atin. Nakakahiya sa mga anak natin. So kailangan natin ‘yun labanan,” she added.

(We don’t want to wake up one day and find ourselves in a situation, that we’re back to the same situation that we had long abandoned. This is going to be shameful for us, for our children. So we have to fight that.)

‘Contrast’

Robredo said the opposition wants to “provide contrast” in the senatorial race. Unlike administration bets who would “do what the administration wants them to do,” the opposition bets “are courageous enough to stand for whatever  they think would be right for the Filipino people.”

The Liberal Party has announced 18 “possible” names who will be part of the opposition slate. Among those in the initial list are lawmakers, lawyers, and celebrities. (READ: Aquino: If you disagree with Duterte, vote for opposition in 2019)

Robredo also said opposition bets would not be chosen just on the basis of winnability, having campaign funds, or having a lot of money “to put up tarpaulins” – apparently alluding to reported administration senatorial bets whose pre-campaign posters have been seen in parts of the country. 

“Maraming taong umaasa sa atin eh. Hindi ito dinadala dahil marami ka lang pera at marami kang pampalagay ng tarpaulin, puwede ka na. Kasi lawmaking is a serious endeavor na nasa kamay mo ‘yung future ng iyong bansa,” she said.

(A lot of people are depending on us. You can’t get in just because you have a lot of money, or you have a lot of funds to put up tarps.  Lawmaking is a serious endeavor and the future of the country is in your hands.)

‘Louder voice’

The Vice President also stressed the importance of the outcome of the 2019 elections.(READ: [OPINION] 2019 elections the real battle for the opposition)

“Para sa akin, ‘yung magpo-provide ng stability sa atin ‘yung mas constitutional na pamamaraan. At ang constitutional na pamamaraan, ‘yung opportunity talaga sa atin, is the 2019 elections – ‘yung pag-elect ng mga tao, lalung-lalo na sa Senado, na merong lakas ng loob na salungatin ‘yung kagustuhan ng pamahalaan kung mali naman sila,” she said.

(For me, what will provide stability is through constitutional means. And the opportunity really is the 2019 elections – electing people, especially in the Senate, who are not afraid to oppose administration policies if they are wrong.)

She said having more opposition members elected in 2019 would give the opposition a “louder voice” so that it would be “heard.”

“That is the essence of dissent, that you provide the contrary view to a prevailing belief hoping that your contrary view will be able to reshape whatever is lacking in that belief,” Robredo said.  

Robredo said the opposition is still in the process of finalizing its Senate slate, including whether to field a full 12-member slate or less candidates.  She expressed optimism that the opposition would field an ideal slate.

“I have high hopes especially because ‘yung mga nasa grupo naman, kahit grabe ‘yung mga debate (those in our group, even if the debates are intense), are all in agreement that as far as our similar ideals are concerned, everyone is willing to make compromises,” she said, referring to the selection process.

The Commission on Elections has postponed the filing of Certificates of Candidacy from October 1 to 5 to October 11 to 17.  – Rappler.com

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Aika Rey

Aika Rey is a business reporter for Rappler. She covered the Senate of the Philippines before fully diving into numbers and companies. Got tips? Find her on Twitter at @reyaika or shoot her an email at aika.rey@rappler.com.