Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV wooed supporters of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to see Vice President Leni Robredo in a new light by sharing with them her programs, advocacies, and anti-corruption stance.
Trillanes, who is gunning for reelection under Robredo’s senatorial slate, met Marcos’ supporters to ask them about their political preferences.
When told that the three—Levy, Tina, and Dunkin—are supporters of Marcos’ father and namesake, the late President Ferdinand Marcos, the former senator defended Robredo from accusations that she has done nothing as a vice president.
“Heto naman, para (This is) in defense naman kay VP Leni. Marami po siyang ginawa. Talaga tumutulong siya sa mga kababayan natin. May kalamidad, nand’un siya. Una siyang nagreresponde. Tapos may programa siya, ‘yung tinatawag na ‘Angat Buhay’ (She did many things. She really helps our fellowmen. When there are calamities, she’s there. She’s the first to respond. She has a program called ‘Angat Buhay’),” Trillanes told the three in a video posted on Facebook.
Angat Buhay is the flagship poverty alleviation program of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
The former Navy officer, who grabbed headlines when he protested against the corruption in the military during the Arroyo administration, shared that Angat Buhay is powered by the private sector to provide housing and entrepreneurial opportunities to the poor.
“Mahalaga din sa akin ‘yun na binigyan siya ng kapangyarihan, hindi siya nag-abuso. Hindi rin siya nagnakaw. Kasi ‘di ba, kung pipili ka ng president, e ‘yung alam mong hindi ka papatayin o ‘yung hindi ka aabusuhin, ‘yung karapatan mo (It’s also important to me that when she was given power, she didn’t abuse it. She didn’t steal. Because if you are going to choose a president, you want someone who will not kill you or will not abuse you, your rights),” he said.
READ: 'Real opposition': Trillanes, Magdalo back Robredo’s Palace bid
When Tina asked if Robredo can be swayed from her convictions and if she can lead with an iron fist, the former senator insisted that no one can shake her values.
“Alam n’yo kayo, babae kayo...nakikita kong solid ‘yung inyong paninindigan. Ganu’n din po si Leni (You know, you’re a woman...I can see that your conviction is solid. Leni is like that, too),” he added.
Robredo lives a simple life with her daughters, who she raised well, Trillanes said.
“Kung maayos ‘yung palaki sa mga anak, alam mong. Di ba, ayun naman iyong mga (If she raised her kids well, you know. Isn’t that an) indication?,” the senatorial aspirant asked.
The six-minute video showed Marcos’ supporters asked what they liked about the former senator.
All of them said they admired his father, but admitted not knowing about Marcos’ platforms.
They said they will wait for the debates to see what he plans for the country.
The end of the video hinted that the next episode will be about the Marcos’ supporters apprehensions against voting for Trillanes.