Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday, October 27, simply laughed off allegations on social media that her camp and supporters handed out cash during a nationwide motorcade last weekend.
Asked about the issue during a media briefing in Bicol, Robredo could not help but wonder how she was able to do that if she lacks resources for her own presidential campaign.
“First time ko siyang nakita na pinapalabas, kaya maraming sumali, dahil binayaran. Iyong first reaction ko, natawa ako. Natawa ako kasi, sabi ko nga, ako pa talaga iyong mamimili ng boto? (The first time I saw that it was being showed many people joined because they got paid. My first reaction was I laughed. I laughed because, like what I’ve said, will I really be the one to buy votes?),” she said.
“Alam ng lahat na volunteers na sila iyong gumagastos, eh (All the volunteers know they are the ones spending). And all over the country, magsabi kayo ng isang grupo na may natanggap na galing sa amin, wala talaga (tell me a group that received money from us, there is none),” she added.
The Vice President has been vocal in saying that she doesn’t have the machinery and resources that other candidates have, but her supporters did not let her down by launching a crowdfunding campaign for her and printing their own stickers, tarpaulins, t-shirts, and tote bags, among others.
READ: 'People's campaign': Robredo supporters set up online donation portal
A significant number of people also turned out and participated during the caravan for her and running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan held in various parts of the country last Saturday, Oct. 23.
Some photos, however, made rounds on social media platforms of an alleged “caravan kit” given away during the motorcade. The kit supposedly contains a P100 bill, a snack bar, campaign stickers, pink face masks, and a letter encouraging the recipient to vote for Robredo.
One of the first viral images making the allegations were shared by Facebook page Wer2GoPH. A similar claim was also made by Twitter user Manuel Mejorada.
READ: Robredo camp denies giving away P100 during caravan; says it's 'fake news'
Robredo tagged as “cheap shot” the false posts, saying the Lawyers for Leni, one of the volunteer groups, is now looking into the matter.
“They’re setting up a system na iyong mga fake news ay ma-bring (for the fake news to be brought up) to their attention para may magawa sila na (so they can make) legal action. So ngayon, ang alam ko—operating sila independently (Now I know—they are operating indepedently),” Robredo said.
“So ngayon (now) because we have a lot of volunteers who are willing to take on the fight, mas confident kami na may aaksyon na talaga dito (we are more confident that someone will really take action on this),” she added.