Former Ifugao Representative and now Liberal Party (LP) senatorial candidate Teddy Baguilat Jr. hit back at a former LP stalwart for his remarks on Vice President Leni Robredo, saying that Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice wants a “trapo (traditional politician)” leadership.
Erice was a former member of the once-ruling LP but has since jumped to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s Aksyon Demokratiko (AK). Moreno is running for president and is one of Robredo’s toughest competition.
“May mga tao na ang hanap 'yung leadership na pang-trapo; 'yung leadership ng makinarya at pera na magagamit para sa pansariling ambisyon (There are people who want a trapo leadership; a leadership based on machinery and money for one’s own ambition,” Baguilat said in a statement released by LP on Tuesday, October 12.
But Robredo, he added, is unlike such traditional politicians because it is clear to her what she needs to focus on.
“Nakita naman natin noong Thursday ‘yung (We saw last Thursday the) tremendous and overwhelmingly positive response ng taumbayan sa (of the people to a) leadership na interes lang ng bayan ang inuuna. 'Yan ang totoong (whose interest is what the country needs. That’s true) leadership; a leadership that inspires,” Baguilat added.
Robredo announced that she’s joining the 2022 presidential race last Oct. 7. Immediately, a deluge of pink dominated social media news feed and profiles as supporters rallied behind her.
The hashtag #LabanLeni2022 trended on Twitter the whole day of Oct. 7. In the afternoon, it topped the worldwide trending list.
READ: Robredo sees ‘floodgates’ open after announcing candidacy; ‘It’s about the cause, not me'
But Erice, during an interview on ANC’s Headstart on Tuesday criticized Robredo’s unification talks.
He said that the opposition was “bordering on intellectual dishonesty” for saying that they wanted to unify the opposition when the vice president was entertaining the idea of running for president.
Robredo’s decision came after weeks of discernment where she also held meetings with Moreno and Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Manny Pacquiao for the possibility of unifying the opposition.
She said one of the reasons that pushed her to run for president was Moreno’s remarks on the Marcos family. The Manila mayor said the Marcoses should be allowed to redeem themselves decades after the atrocities they committed during the Martial Law regime.
READ: Robredo questions fellow candidates’ principles as she reveals reason for failed 'unity' talks
Baguilat, however, said it is clear to Robredo where she stands, which is with the people who want to end hunger, poverty, and deaths.
“Malinaw sa laban na ito na para talunin natin bulok na klase ng pulitika, ang kailangan, linaw ng paninindigan at prinsipyo...Kailangan itong palitan ng isang matino, mahusay, at may prinsipyong pamamahala (It is clear that in this battle, in order to defeat a rotten kind of politics, we need clear stance and principles...This has to be replaced by an honorable, efficient, and principled governance),” the former lawmaker said.