VP Leni takes on role of opposition leader
Ahead of the 2019 midterm elections, Vice President Leni Robredo is taking the role of an opposition leader who will bring together various groups against the Duterte administration.
She showed off a bit of her feistiness when she declared her intent on Tuesday to lead the opposition movement and unify the voices of dissent whether through her actions or words.
Gone was the soft-spoken official who has been sometimes circumspect in her statements and silent on controversial issues because she was careful not to directly antagonize the President.
“Maraming mga grupo na pareho naman ‘yun paniniwala at mga issues na gustong salungatin pero dahil hindi nag-usap-usap, hindi napag-iisa ‘yun boses. At iyon ang role na gustong kong i-take (Several groups have the same beliefs and issues they want to oppose, but because they don’t speak among themselves, they are not united with their voices. And this is the role I want to take), she said.
“Siguraduhin na ‘yun mga boses na nagkakaisa lalo mapag-isa para lalong mapakinggan. Siguraduhin na ‘yun mensahe na gustong ipaabot mas maintindihan at hikayatin ‘yun iba pareho ang paniniwala na makiisa (I want to make sure the unifying voices will become one in order that they would be heard more. To ensure the message that they want to convey would be understood and they encourage the others with the same beliefs to join), she said.
The Vice President spoke about her role as opposition leader in a media briefing held at the Quezon City Reception House, where she holds office.
Various opposition groups had sought her leadership during a meeting last week. Among them were the Liberal Party, which she chairs, Tindig Pilipinas, Akbayan, and Magdalo.
“Now there are different groups that have initiatives to unite. And those groups are asking if I can lead. I said, yes, but we have to discuss the terms,” Robredo, a former housing chief, said in Filipino.
Robredo said these groups are still in talks with each other for the common stand they will fight for. Their discussion includes crafting a united opposition slate for next year elections.
“This is not only about political parties, but also included are the other movements that fight for the advocacies they formed. They do have similarities in beliefs against dictatorship and authoritarianism,” she said.
The Vice President is looking forward to the formation of the opposition’s senatorial slate come September in time for the filing of certificates of candidacy the next month.