LP senatorial bets face uphill battle

CEBU CITY – Vice President Leni Robredo admitted that winning in the May 13 elections is going to be an uphill battle for Liberal Party’s (LP) senatorial bets.

Robredo on Wednesday said that having lesser known personalities is a big challenge for Otso Diretso candidates.

“We know for a fact that out of the eight, only two are really known. The main struggle really is awareness. The main struggle is that they are not popular,” said Robredo.

The Otso Diretso slate includes Senator Bam Aquino, Congressman Gary Alejano, former senator Mar Roxas, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, former Congressman Erin Tañada, lawyers Romulo Macalintal and Chel Diokno, and Sam Gutoc.

Being the opposition party is also an added challenge for Otso Diretso as local officials are expected to support the administration party, added Robredo.

In Cebu province for instance, only a handful is running under LP led by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

“That’s the reality. Everyone will be with the president’s party. But it doesn’t bother us that we don’t have the support of most of the local officials. It’s not all numbers but how committed and how they espouse the values that LP stands for,” said Robredo.

While it may a struggle, Robredo said Otso Diretso candidates will be going all out.

“We are realistic but we are optimistic. We are all fired up. If given the chance to let the people know who they are, we can muster the numbers that we want to muster,” Robredo said.