Lamenting how disinformation made public officials “less accountable,” outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo bared plans to fight disinformation and fake news after she steps down as the country’s second-highest official at noon on June 30.
As she will become a private citizen—Atty. Leni— once more on July 1, she said Filipinos, regardless of political colors, should unite against disinformation.
“Kasi paminsan 'yung iba walang pakialam dito sa disinformation, pero dapat naiintindihan natin, na far-reaching 'yung effects nito (Because sometimes, others don’t care about disinformation, but we need to understand that these have far-reaching effects),” Robredo lamented during her Sunday radio show over dzXL.
This was Robredo’s first time attending her weekly radio program since the start of the presidential campaign season last Feb. 8.
“’Yung mga (The) public officials nagiging (become) less accountable kapag natatabunan ng disinformation 'yung mga kakulangan nila (when disinformation covers up their shortcomings),” she said, adding that fighting disinformation will benefit all.
Robredo earlier revealed plans to start the Angat Buhay NGO (non-government organization) on July 1 to carry over her office’s poverty alleviation programs into the private sphere.
READ: Robredo to pursue ‘new chapter’ as Angat Buhay NGO leader
But more than just her programs to help Filipinos during natural disasters and uplift their lives, the outgoing Vice President will also set up measures to fight against disinformation.
Studies showed Robredo has been the number one victim of disinformation and fake news primarily by internet trolls and pro-administration supporters.
She has been pictured as a dimwit, with netizens calling her “lugaw (porridge)”, a disparaging remark supposedly about her way of speaking. Robredo, who holds economic and law degrees, was also called “boba (stupid)” even by President Duterte’s Cabinet members.
But right now, she said she and her team are busy turning over the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.
Robredo plans to continue her advocacies, and will be part again of Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) in a part-time capacity while launching the Angat Buhay NGO.
Though she does not have the government resources to fund Angat Buhay, the outgoing Vice President will rely on private donors and volunteers.
She also revealed that some of her staff from the OVP’s Angat Buhay program will join her in the NGO.