By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Despite the possibility of being a subject of a slew of insults, Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday that she will attend the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City because it is her obligation to do so.
Vice President Leni Robredo
(ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN) In a transcript of her press conference on the newly-launched “Omasenso sa Kabuhayan” project held at the Museo ni Jesse Robredo in Naga City, Robredo said she will attend the SONA “even if there are some people who do not want her to.” “Mag-a-attend ako kahit iyong iba ayaw akong pa-attend-in. Iyong iba natatakot daw at baka insultuhin ako, baka hiyain ako, (I will attend even if there some who don’t want me to attend. Some fear for me because I might be insulted or humiliated),” Robredo said. She said it is her obligation to be there and that insults will not affect her because she feels she is not at fault. Alleviate poor Yesterday, Robredo’s partymate Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV said he expects to hear from the President his plans on how to alleviate the burden of Filipinos affected by the government’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. Aquino, at the same time, said he hopes the President does not have to push for Charter change and or focus again on his campaign against illegal drugs. “Sana pag-usapan ang mga solusyon sa pagtaas presyo sa SONA ng Pangulo. Suspindihin na itong excise tax sa petrolyo para mabigyan ng ginhawa ang mga pamilyang nalulunod sa gastos (I hope the President raise solutions to the increasing prices of goods and services during the SONA. I also expect that he would suspend this excise tax on petroleum to ease the burden of Filipino families already reeling from high cost of goods),” Aquino said. Fulfilling promises In Malacañang, Duterte’s top legal counsel said that the public can expect the Chief Executive to stay true to his promises to bring a comfortable life to all. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, in a radio interview, said that the public can expect more from the President, especially in infrastructure. “Marami iyan. Magkakaroon tayo ng construction sa Pilipinas at sila maglalabasan iyang mga airport, bagong mga skyway... Mayroon pa tayong mga train na lalabas (There are plenty more. There will be constructions everywhere in the country that will result to airports, skyways, even trains),” Panelo said over Radyo Pilipinas Friday. “Tinutupad at ginagampanan ng President ang kanyang tungkulin (The President is working to fulfill his promises and do his duty),” he added. He blasted critics for only trying to find fault in Duterte’s actions. “Iyong mga nandiyan sa kabila, eh talagang naghahanap lang na mapipintasan si Presidente (Those in the opposition are only trying to find fault),” he said. “Pero ang katotohanan niyan, lahat ng mga pinangako niya… ginawa na at ginagawa pa (But the truth is, he had already fulfilled some of his promises, and he continues to do so),” he added. (With reports from Hannah L. Torregoza and Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
Vice President Leni Robredo (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN) In a transcript of her press conference on the newly-launched “Omasenso sa Kabuhayan” project held at the Museo ni Jesse Robredo in Naga City, Robredo said she will attend the SONA “even if there are some people who do not want her to.” “Mag-a-attend ako kahit iyong iba ayaw akong pa-attend-in. Iyong iba natatakot daw at baka insultuhin ako, baka hiyain ako, (I will attend even if there some who don’t want me to attend. Some fear for me because I might be insulted or humiliated),” Robredo said. She said it is her obligation to be there and that insults will not affect her because she feels she is not at fault. Alleviate poor Yesterday, Robredo’s partymate Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV said he expects to hear from the President his plans on how to alleviate the burden of Filipinos affected by the government’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. Aquino, at the same time, said he hopes the President does not have to push for Charter change and or focus again on his campaign against illegal drugs. “Sana pag-usapan ang mga solusyon sa pagtaas presyo sa SONA ng Pangulo. Suspindihin na itong excise tax sa petrolyo para mabigyan ng ginhawa ang mga pamilyang nalulunod sa gastos (I hope the President raise solutions to the increasing prices of goods and services during the SONA. I also expect that he would suspend this excise tax on petroleum to ease the burden of Filipino families already reeling from high cost of goods),” Aquino said. Fulfilling promises In Malacañang, Duterte’s top legal counsel said that the public can expect the Chief Executive to stay true to his promises to bring a comfortable life to all. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, in a radio interview, said that the public can expect more from the President, especially in infrastructure. “Marami iyan. Magkakaroon tayo ng construction sa Pilipinas at sila maglalabasan iyang mga airport, bagong mga skyway... Mayroon pa tayong mga train na lalabas (There are plenty more. There will be constructions everywhere in the country that will result to airports, skyways, even trains),” Panelo said over Radyo Pilipinas Friday. “Tinutupad at ginagampanan ng President ang kanyang tungkulin (The President is working to fulfill his promises and do his duty),” he added. He blasted critics for only trying to find fault in Duterte’s actions. “Iyong mga nandiyan sa kabila, eh talagang naghahanap lang na mapipintasan si Presidente (Those in the opposition are only trying to find fault),” he said. “Pero ang katotohanan niyan, lahat ng mga pinangako niya… ginawa na at ginagawa pa (But the truth is, he had already fulfilled some of his promises, and he continues to do so),” he added. (With reports from Hannah L. Torregoza and Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)