Isko dares Leni camp to deny urging other candidates to withdraw

Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno on Wednesday dared the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo to deny that they urged other candidates to withdraw from the presidential race.

“I challenge the honorable Vice President Leni Robredo, deny. Deny ninyo na hindi ninyo kami pinaatras, na hindi ninyo pinaatras si Secretary Norberto Gonzales, na hindi ninyo pinaatras si Senator Ping,” Moreno said in an ambush interview in Bohol.

Moreno previously alleged that the vice president’s camp was behind calls for their withdrawal when questioned on the fact that Robredo never personally asked her opponents to drop their candidacy.

“Again, 'wag na kayo mag speculate, 'wag na kayo mag spin. Diretsahan. Madam Vice President Leni Robredo, totoo ba? Totoo ba? Kasi nagpa-fact check, fact check pa. Eh, alam naman natin sino ‘yung nagsasabing withdraw,” he said.

The Aksyon Demokratiko bet called Robredo's camp “BBS” or “bilib na bilib sa sarili.”

“And I challenge… Bam Aquino. Sige, tignan natin. Tignan natin. I challenge Bam Aquino to deny it. I challenge the honorable vice president. Pasinungalingan ninyo kami. Pasinungalingan nio kami kung hindi kayo nag attempt. Nang makita ng taong bayan ang katotohanan, kung sino ang fake, kung sino ang totoo,” he said.

“Hindi ako papayag na maboladas ninyo ang tao na kayo ay santa pero kayo ay santita. Hindi talaga,” he added.

Moreno said Robredo was the “godmother” of bullies. He previously accused Robredo of being a bully, citing incidents where pro-Robredo businessmen allegedly threatened to fire employees who are not supportive of her.

“When you allow a bully, you’re also the biggest bully. You’re the godfather of bully. In this case, god mother. Hindi tayo pwede mag sugarcoat. Hindi matamis ang buhay ng tao, napakapait ang buhay ng tao ngayon,” he said.

When asked about the statement of Robredo’s spokesman, Barry Gutierrez, that there were no unification talks and Robredo’s camp did not push for the withdrawal, Moreno hinted that there is recorded footage.

“Barry, Barry, mag ingat ka. May CCTV ang Office of the Vice President. Barry mag ingat ka, may CCTV ‘yung bahay sa McKinley. Barry, mag ingat nga, may CCTV at may picture ‘yung bahay sa Dasmariñas Village,” he said.

“Barry, tabi ka na sa gedli. Pagsalitain mo ‘yung amo mo. Pagsalitain mo ‘yung amo mo. Oh, baka hindi pa mabasa? Kailangan ng telemprompter. Hindi talaga. Wala akong prejudice sa babae. You saw that in my office,” he later added.

In response to Moreno’s remarks, Gutierrez tweeted, “K" with a smiley face.

Gutierrez has repeatedly said that Robredo is too focused on her campaign to be affected by her emotions and criticisms against her.

Meanwhile, the Manila mayor said this was not a “gender issue.”

“This is character of leadership. Character. Maaaring ang tao hindi nakapag-aral, maaaring ang tao ay mahirap pero ang bawat tao ay may dignidad. 'Wag mo kukunin sa kanya ‘yun,” he said.

“Kapag ‘yun ang kinuha mo sa amin, hinulog mo kami sa bangin, sisiguraduhin namin, hawak namin ang paa ninyo. Kaya I challenge him. Barry, wag ka magsinungaling… baka hindi mo alam ang ginagawa ng amo mo,” he added.

Moreno drew backlash on social media following his call for Robredo’s withdrawal, a call he later renewed and refused to apologize for.—AOL, GMA News