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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Robredo explains why presidential candidates must join debates

Robredo explains why presidential candidates must join debates

Published Jan 20, 2022 10:01 am

Presidential candidates should attend debates and address various issues against them, particularly the Tallano gold myth that’s allegedly the source of the Marcos family’s wealth, presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo said on Thursday, Jan. 20.

Vice President Leni Robredo (OVP photo)

Speaking at “Rundown” on ANC, the Vice President highlighted the importance of the candidates’ attendance in the debates.

“I-submit iyong sarili nila (They should submit themselves) to events or forums na may (that have) opportunity iyong tao na i-confront sila (for the people to confront them) about the many accusations against them,” she said.

Robredo cited how lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokesman of her rival former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., circled around the myth of the Tallano gold, which was allegedly the source of the Marcos wealth instead of the $10 billion ill-gotten wealth reported in international media.

“I think his lawyer was already confronted about that and rather than say na (that) it’s true or it’s not true, sasabihin hindi ko alam (he said he doesn’t know),” she said.

The aspiring president lamented that her rival might avoid the forums because he will not feel the need to answer the allegations since he already has strong numbers in the surveys.

READ: Robredo willing to join face-to-face debates with Pacquiao, other presidential bets

“Lugi iyong taong bayan kasi hindi siya nagkakaroon ng (The public will be at a loss because they will not have an) opportunity to confront),” Robredo added.

The myth of the Tallano gold as the source of the Marcos wealth has spread like wildfire on social media, particularly in pages supportive of the former senator.

Allegedly, former President Ferdinand Marcos became the trustee of the many metric tons of gold by the Tallano royal family to restore the former grandeur of Maharlika, an old kingdom supposedly made up of the Philippines, Brunei, South Borneo, Hawaii, the Spratly Islands, and Sabah before Spain colonized the Philippines.

Some supporters of the Marcos family believe that they will receive money or gold once they returned to power.

In 2017, thousands flocked to the University of the Philippines Los Baños because they will allegedly receive P1 million each. They didn’t.

At that time, Senator Imee Marcos distanced her family from the myth and warned against believing what might be a scam.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos VP Leni Robredo 2022 elections debates presidency vic rodriguez Tallano gold
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