Vice President Leni Robredo has assured fellow administration critic, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that she didn't sell out in her "exploratory talks" with Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is gunning for a higher position in the May 2022 national elections.
Robredo had this to say during an online interview Friday afternoon, Sept. 3, despite her and Trillanes's failure to talk themselves.
"Hindi pa kami nakapag-usap (We haven't spoken yet), pero (but) I think iyong (the) turn of events, maa-assure naman siya na hindi tayo sell-out (he can be assured that I am not a sell-out). Iyong (The) turn of everts, lalo na iyong kay (especially regarding) Senator Lacson," she said.
Robredo underscored that Senator Lacson himself has said that she didn't agree to his proposal.
"Siguro assurance iyon kay Senator Sonny na exploratory talaga ito, eh (That's an assurance for Senator Sonny that this was really exploratory). It’s not like makikipag-meeting ako at magiging sell-out ako (I would meet with them and be a sell-out to them). Kasi ang purpose talaga ng meeting is to explore (The purpose of the meeting was really to explore)."
Trillanes and Lacson have both declared their intention to run for president in next year's polls. However, Trillanes said he would gladly step aside should Liberal Party (LP) Chairman Robredo vie for the Palace seat.
At present, the lady official remains undecided about her plans. She said she is now in the stage of trying to have everybody "talk to each other".
"Ang ine-explore ko lang is the possibility na makapag-usap-usap tayo lahat (What I'm exploring is the possibility to have everybody talk to each other)...Nandoon pa lang tayo (We're at the stage yet), so there is nothing to be afraid of," she noted.
Robredo said the worst thing for the opposition to do right now would be to carry out a decision without hearing the other side.
"Kasi (Because) we have learned our lessons na hindi puwedeng tayo-tayo lang iyong nag-uusap (that we can't limit the discussions to ourselves). Ang kailangan pakinggan natin iyong iba, kahit pa iba iyong paniniwala nila (We need to listen to others, even those who hold different beliefs) and look for a common ground," the Vice President explained.
The perception is that the 2022 polls will be an uphill battle for the opposition, given the apparent popularity of President Duterte this late into his term.