Robredo on Duterte's pro-communist claim: Dangerous to report without basis

Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday warned against government officials releasing "dangerous" statements without basis following President Rodrigo Duterte's latest claims that she is a pro-communist.

Over the weekend, President Rodrigo Duterte said in an episode of Byron Cristobal's blog that he doesn't support former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Duterte added that just like Robredo, Marcos Jr. is a "pro-communist."

Reacting to this, Robredo said baseless statements could pose risk to the lives of the accused.

"Kaya sinasabi natin na sobrang delikado kapag ang isang government agency ay nagre-release ng mga statements na walang basehan. Kasi hindi nila nare-realize na ine-en-danger nila iyong buhay ng mga binibigyan ng paratang na wala namang basehan," Robredo said during her visit to Calamansi farmers in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.

(We are saying that it is dangerous for a government agency to release statements without basis. They do not realize that a person's life could be in danger over statements without basis.)

Robredo also said the public may doubt a government agency when it is making irresponsible remarks.

"Kung ang isang government agency ay mas responsable—mas responsable sa mandato at saka datos niya, wala tayong kailangang ipangamba. Pero kung may mga nagli-lead sa isang government agency na ganito ka-irresponsible sa pagparatang, eh dapat talaga tayong mag-isip many times over," said

(If a government agency is more responsible on their mandate and data, we don't have any doubts. But if the government agency's leader is making irresponsible remarks then we need to think about this many times over.)

On disclosing SALN

Further, Robredo said that she approves the call of Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero to disclose the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) of those running for May 2022 national and local elections, noting that this would prove if their assets commensurate their income.

“I have always been very vocal na dapat iyong SALN should be made public. Kasi in the first place, kaya siya kasi ito iyong pamantayan at saka ito iyong pruweba kung iyong mga kandidato o mga public officials na binoboto natin, malinis iyong kanilang record, walang tinatagong yaman,” Robredo said.

(In the first place, this is the standard and will prove that the candidate or the public officials who we vote for have clean records and do not have hidden wealth.)

Robredo emphasized her dismay at the Office of the Ombudsman for making it “difficult” to access the SALNs of other government officials, noting that her own office has filed her own SALN.

“Anyone na mag-request, basta mag-comply lang sa requirements namin, we issue as soon as possible. Ang panawagan natin na dapat iyong ibang mga kandidato at saka public officials ganoon din kasi iyon naman iyong dahilan kung bakit required siya under the law,” she added.

(Anyone who requests will be issued a copy as long as they comply with our requirements. Our call is for other candidates and public officials to do the same as this is the reason it is required by the law.)—LDF, GMA News