Candidates seeking office should not be afraid to answer tough questions and face public scrutiny, aspiring president Vice President Leni Robredo said Monday, Jan. 24.
"Mahalaga na kung kami ay naghahangad ng suporta ng taumbayan, kailangan handa kaming harapin kahit yung mahihirap na katanungan kasi dine-deserve ng taumbayan malaman kung ano yung katotohanan sa mga bagay na ibinabato sa amin o ano yung mga bagay na naririnig tungkol sa amin, pinakamabisang paraan na harapin naman yun (It is important for us, who are seeking support from the people, to be ready to face tough questions because the people deserve to know the truth from the issues thrown at us, to face those is the most effective way)," Robredo said.
The Vice President stressed this when sought for reaction during a press briefing in Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte on the non-attendance of her fellow presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. during a presidential interview.
She refused to comment on it, saying it is Marcos' decision and she is not in the best position to meddle on it.
"Wala naman akong mensahe kasi choice niya naman yun... so wala tayong papel para pakialaman yung choices, hindi lang niya, pero ng iba pang mga kandidato (I don't have a message because it's his choice...So, we don't have the right to meddle on his choices, not just him but also the other candidates)," she said.
However, Robredo further explained why candidates like her must subject themselves for scrutiny.
"Dapat hindi kami natatakot sa– hindi kami natatakot sa hindi lang pagtatanong pero pagtutuligsa kasi kaming mga public servants ang responsibility namin sa bansa ay ayusin yung aming inilalahad to the best of our ability (We should not be scared not just of questions but also of criticisms because as public servants, it is our responsibility to the country to put in order what we are presenting to the best of our ability)," the aspiring president said.
"'Pag kandidato ka kasi, binibigay mo yung sarili mo na maging subject ka for scrutiny (If you are a candidate, you are offering yourself to be a subject for scrutiny)," she added.
Meanwhile, Robredo will join the “Bakit Ikaw? Presidential Job Interviews” sponsored by the Manila Broadcasting Company’s DZRH and The Manila Times on Feb. 2.
READ MORE: Robredo to join DZRH's 'Bakit Ikaw' presidential interview