The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo was surprised over Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s against Robredo especially since he had a good working relationship with her previously.
Robredo and Moreno partnered for the Vaccine Express, a drive-through vaccination initiative in Manila, last June.
Vice presidential spokesman Barry Gutierrez said that Robredo already emphasized she respects Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao, with whom she had several unification talks in recent weeks.
“Klarong klaro na (It is very clear that) all she has for kay Mayor Isko mismo is respect. In fact, that’s why hindi nila pinasok iyong detalye noong kanilang pag-uusap dahil nga nire-respeto niya at ino-honor niya iyong kanilang pag-uusap nitong nakaraang linggo (that is why they didn’t reveal the details of their meetings because she is respecting and honoring their talks these past weeks),” he said in an interview with One PH.
The Manila mayor slammed Robredo after said that one of the reasons she decided to run for president was Moreno’s stance on the Marcoses.
READ: Mayor Isko raps VP Leni's reason for running as president: 'Marcos na naman?'
He said that presidential aspirant and former Senator Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, Jr. should be given the chance to prove himself despite his family’s record of misdeeds that have been confirmed by the courts.
“Marcos na naman? Bakit kailangan uminog ang mundo namin ngayon sa away ng Marcos at Aquino? Sa away ng anak ni Marcos, at mga anak at kasama ng yellowtards? (Marcos again? Why does our world have to evolve between the fight of Marcos and Aquino? In the fight of Marcos’ son, and children, and with the yellowtards?),” Moreno said.
Robredo commented that acquiescing with the Marcoses is a “non-negotiable” matter to her, to which Moreno commented that one’s decision to run cannot simply be about the Marcos family.
READ: Robredo questions fellow candidates’ principles as she reveals reason for failed 'unity' talks
For Robredo’s camp, what’s important is how to convince people to vote for the kind of leader they want in 2022.
“At bukas ang larangan, puwedeng magsalita si Mayor Isko, puwedeng magsalita si VP Leni, ipahayag nila ang kanilang mukhang magkaibang vision para sa ating bansa (The floor is open, Mayor Isko can talk, VP Leni can talk to share their different vision for the country),” Gutierrez said.