'Wala naman kasi akong tinatago': Robredo says she's not afraid to face tough questions


Aspiring president Vice President Leni Robredo said that she is not afraid in joining presidential interviews which, she said, is actually a platform for her to confront relevant national issues.

Vice President Leni Robredo (Photo courtesy of the OVP)

"Wala naman kasi akong tinatago, so bakit ako kakabahan (I am not hiding anything, so why would I be nervous)?" Robredo said when asked on how to handle confrontational questions from panelists in the next presidential interviews.

The presidential aspirant stressed that it will actually be a good opportunity for her to confront issues thrown at her.

"If at all, mas mabuti ngang ma-confront sa akin yung mga sinasabi nila sa akin para meron akong platform na magpaliwanag. Kasi ngayon hindi ako nabibigyan ng platform kasi marami talaga yung sa social media naman alam—alam niyo naman algorithms yun eh. So, marami silang sinasabi na hindi ako nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na sabihin kung ano ang totoo (It will actually be better to confront the issues against me; I can use it as a platform to explain. Because right now, I am not given the platform because as you know social media works on algorithms. So, they have been saying a lot of things and I don't have the chance to say the truth)," Robredo said.

She further said that if the interview will not be handled professionally, it will not be her loss.

The Vice President said she had known many difficult situations in the past, so it is no longer new to her to confront issues and criticisms because it is part of her responsibility.

"So, ngayon ang dami ko nang pinasok na ganito, noong nag-ICAD ako, noong naging member ako ng Cabinet. Talagang yung pinapasok ko hindi siya madali na mga sitwasyon. Pero sa akin naman, responsibility ito. Hindi naman pwedeng dahil hindi madali, aayaw ako (I have faced a lot of this before, when I was in ICAD, when I was a member of the Cabinet. The situations that I have gotten myself into are not easy. But for me, this is a responsibility. You cannot just back down when it's not easy for you)," Robredo said.

Robredo stated this during a press briefing in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay where she visited a fishing community on Monday, Jan. 25, to deliver livelihood assistance.

Robredo is expected to attend a presidential interview organized by DZRH and Manila Times on Feb. 2.

READ MORE: Robredo to join DZRH's 'Bakit Ikaw' presidential interview