They may not be all the popular with the people, but Vice President Leni Robredo has her own simple way to help the unknown opposition senatorial candidates in the May midterm elections.
Robredo, the leader of the opposition, started by guesting them on her Sunday radio program, “BISErbisyong Leni,” where they presented their platforms and made known their position on key national issues.
Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc was the first senatorial bet of the “Otso Diretso” slate, who appeared during Robredo’s radio show. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who represents the Vice President in her election case, was only interviewed via phone patch.
“This Sunday, two candidates are joining us. This will be a weekly series until the start of the campaign period so our countrymen will know them,” said Robredo in Filipino.
“Who are these candidates we are presenting to the people? Even if it’s hard to keep with those who are popular, I’m not ashamed with what we fight for,” she stressed.
Backing the opposition’s senatorial candidates, Robredo firmly believes they will turn their mostly dismal pre-election surveys ratings into victory come the May 13 polls.
Aside from Gutoc and Macalintal, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, ex-solicitor general Florin Hilbay, former interior secretary Mar Roxas, and ex-Quezon congressman Erin Tañada are the other opposition senate bets.
Of the eight candidates, only Roxas and Aquino have a statistical chance of winning based on the latest surveys.
“It is true that they are not yet known, but I started the same. But I succeeded in the fight through presenting myself to the public. That’s my dream for the eight candidates,” Robredo said as she recalled her own experience in the 2016 vice presidential race.
“Even if the others are not yet known, their dignity and position on issues are more important,” she added.
Source: https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/01/27/oppositions-otso-diretso-gets-boost-from-robredo/