Leni says Duterte's jab vs. Otso Diretso shows candidates have fighting chance

Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte's recent tirade against Otso Diretso senatorial bets only shows that these candidates have a shot in winning in the May elections.

“Kung hindi sila pinapansin ng mga tao, hindi na sila pag-aaksayahan ng panahon ng Pangulo, pero the mere fact na nag-aksaya ng panahon para isa-isahin sila, gustong sabihin may laban iyong aming mga kandidato,” Robredo told reporters during an event in Bulacan.

Speaking at a PDP-Laban rally in Zamboanga City over the weekend, Duterte said the opposition did nothing but criticize him and his policies before targeting each of the eight candidates, questioning their track records and even calling one of them a "leftist."

Robredo has been campaigning for the Otso Diretso slate.

“Noong nalaman ko na pinangalanan isa-isa ng Pangulo iyong mga kandidato ng Otso Diretso, 'yun 'yung pagpapakita na nagpi-pick up na sila. Kasi kung hindi naman sila relevant, hindi na sila papansinin,” she said.

Robredo also said the "competence and character" of the opposition bets can disprove the President’s claims.

“[Ang aming mga kandidato], marami na itong track record na pinanindigan. Iyon talaga iyong basehan namin kung bakit silang walo iyong napili,” she said.

Robredo again expressed her support for the debate being pushed by Otso Diretso candidates against the administration bets. She said a debate is needed so that voters could learn more about the candidates and their stand on certain issues.

“Ang problema—nakita naman natin iyong mga iba’t ibang media outlets, mga TV networks, nag-sponsor ng debates—maraming mga kandidato, hindi pumupunta. Kasi kung pumupunta sila, hindi na kinakailangang hamunin,” Robredo said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News