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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Robredo: I need to criticize as that's the demand for me as a Filipino

Robredo: I need to criticize as that's the demand for me as a Filipino

Published Sep 16, 2020 12:47 am

Vice President Leni Robredo believes it would be a disservice to the Filipino people if she would be silent about the government’s shortcomings in its response efforts to the coronavirus pandemic.

Vice-President Leni Robredo (OVP / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)

Robredo said she has a basic right to criticize the administration on how it handles the health crisis even if she is not the country’s second highest top official.

“Kahit hindi ako VP, kahit ordinaryong mamamayan lang ako, may karapatan akong ipahayag iyong aking mga mungkahi (Even if I’m not a VP, even I’m just an ordinary citizen, I have a right to give my suggestions),” she said Tuesday night in an interview on “Quarantined with Howie Severino.”

“I need to criticize kasi iyong demand ng pagiging Pilipino ko (because that’s the demand for being a Filipino). And the demand for me being a Filipino is to be a part of nation building),” she added.

The vice president was asked to react about her critics questioning her role in policy-making given her suggestions to improve the country’s COVID-19 response.

Robredo herself has spent the past six months helping fill the gaps that her office has identified in the government’s pandemic response.

She has recommended solutions in dealing with the health crisis, economy, education, poverty, and unemployment.

“I was quiet about it for sometime kasi I wanted to give this administration a chance, but I have seen many shortcomings. It would be a disservice to people if I will not speak out,” Robredo said.

“I know I would be criticized for it. I know I would be attacked by trolls but I think my bigger responsibility at stake and many people are not given the opportunity, so I will use my platform as VP to speak out,” she added.

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