MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Leni Robredo left yesterday for a one-week trip to the United States to speak at a conference and meet with supporters.
Robredo is scheduled to speak at the National Empowerment Conference of the National Federation of Filipino-American Association in Pennsylvania tomorrow.
She will then fly to San Francisco to meet with Filipino-Americans the following day.
The Vice President is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Aug. 11.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Robredo clarified that the expenses incurred for the trip will not be charged to the Office of the Vice President as it is sponsored by the inviting parties.
She said she hopes that her meeting with the Filipino-American organizations would further solidify partnerships in the future.
Upon assuming the second highest post in the land, Robredo said she intends to strengthen partnerships with the private sector as the budget of her office would be limited to implementing her proposed anti-poverty programs.
“I hope that the outcome (of the trip) would be fruitful,” she said.
In the same press conference, Robredo also explained why she has to take private planes in traveling around the country.
Reacting to criticisms online, the Vice President – who rides the bus when traveling to her hometown in Naga – said taking private planes could not be avoided in her position.
She noted that the private plane that she took when she went to Camarines Sur last week was rented by the organization that invited her.
‘Defense fund’ for Leni
Meanwhile, former presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda yesterday urged supporters of Robredo to pitch in to pay for her legal fees in the electoral case filed against her by losing vice presidential bet, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Calling it Piso Para Kay Leni, Lacierda said donating one peso to a defense fund for Robredo can go a long way as she received over 14 million votes in the May 9 polls.
“VP Leni is in a tight spot. As she mentioned, she does not have the money to defend herself in the election protest filed by Sen. Bongbong Marcos,” Lacierda said in a Facebook post.
“Our job to help her is not over. So many of us voted for her to be our Vice President. She has come to a crossroad early in her vice presidency,” he added.
Lacierda said that even if legal services were provided for free, there will still be costs for the preparation of documents and evidence.
“If each one of us will donate a minimum of one peso to her legal defense fund, she would not have to worry about her case and she can focus on her job as Vice President,” said Lacierda.
“Let us not tarry in helping her. She once needed us in the election. She needs us once more to help her fight this electoral protest,” he added.
Lacierda posted his call for support after Robredo said on Wednesday that she is more concerned with the legal fees than Marcos’ claims of electoral fraud.
“As far as the substance of the case, if there is a basis, I am not worried (about that),” said Robredo.
Responding to this, Robredo’s lawyer Romulo Macalintal said he is ready to defend Robredo with or without attorney’s fees.
Marcos filed an electoral case against Robredo before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal after losing by a hairline margin in the recent elections.
In a statement yesterday, Robredo’s spokesperson Georgina Hernandez said the Vice President is grateful for the expression of concern.
“Nonetheless, we would not want to impose on the people. We continue to have faith that in the end, the good will prevail,” Hernandez said.