Robredo slams critics who paint her as 'eager' to replace Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday squashed criticisms that she is eager to replace President Rodrigo Duterte.

Robredo made the comment after she was asked about her preparedness to assume the office once the revolutionary government has been declared. She said she is just “ready” to carry out her mandate.

Last April 4, Duterte threatened to declare a "revolutionary war" and to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

Romulo Macalintal, lead legal counsel of Robredo in the poll protest she is facing against defeated vice presidential candidate and former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, earlier said if Duterte pushes through with his threat, Robredo would have to take over the presidency.

“Hindi naman tayo iyong nagsimula ng usapin. Actually, si Pangulo ang naggawa ng isang deklarasyon at tayo ay pinapa-komento lang doon,” Robredo said in her weekly radio show, BISErbisyong LENI.

(It’s not us who started the issue. Actually, it’s the president who made the declaration and we just commented.)

Robredo stressed that declaring a revolutionary government runs against Duterte’s duties as president. She cited that it is in the president’s oath to protect and uphold the Constitution.

The vice president also said that she does not see any present circumstances that would warrant the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

“Iyong writ of habeas corpus naman, iyong Konstitusyon very clear dito—mayroon lang mga circumstances kung saan puwede niyang ideklara. At wala naman iyong circumstances na iyon ngayon, kaya hindi rin puwedeng magdeklara,” she said.

(In the writ of habeas corpus, on the other hand, the Constitution is very clear with this—there are circumstances when it can be declared and these circumstances are not present right now so this could not be declared.)

Robredo also reiterated her call for public servants to be responsible with words and pronouncements even in the face of criticisms and hardships.

“Iyong trabaho namin, talagang maraming kahirapan, marami talagang magte-test sa aming pasensya, maraming frustrations... Pero hindi dahil doon, hindi iyon ang nagbibigay sa amin ng lisensya para magsabi ng kung anong gusto naming sabihin kasi iyong sinasabi namin, parating may epekto sa ating bayan,” she said.

(Our work really have a lot of hardships, there are several instances that would test our patience, there are several frustrations… but it’s not a license for us to say what we want to say because whatever we say always has an effect on the nation.)

“Kaya kailangan responsable iyong pagbibigay ng mga statements. Kailangan hindi dinadaan sa init ng ulo. Iyong mga karapatan na binibigay sa amin, iyong mga pribilehiyong binibigay, iyong mga responsibilidad na binibigay sa amin, hindi dapat iyon naaabuso. Iyon dapat, nagagamit para sa kabutihan ng lahat, hindi iyong dahil uminit lang iyong ulo namin, kung ano-ano na iyong gagawin namin para takutin iyong taumbayan,” she added.

(This is why we should be responsible when giving out statements. It should not be based on anger. The rights given to us, the privileges given to us, is a responsibility for us that should not be abused. That’s what we should do, for the benefit of everyone, we should not threaten the public just because we are angry.)

Duterte threatened to declare the suspension of writ of habeas corpus, citing that he has enough problems with criminality, drugs, and rebellion. He also threatened to arrest anyone who goes too far.

READ: Revolutionary war? Duterte told not to threaten Filipinos

— Rosette Adel