No substitution for Robredo, Kiko

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday reiterated her commitment to run in next year’s elections, saying there will be no substitute candidates for her and running mate Sen. Francis Pangilinan.

“When we filed (our certificates of candidacy), we were already decided to finish this. For me, the law regarding substitution has been abused. We have provisions on substitution because these are for particular reasons,” Robredo said in Filipino during a press conference in Negros Occidental.

She stressed that substitutions should only happen under extraordinary circumstances and not to satisfy the political ends of some candidates.

Under current election rules, an individual may substitute for a candidate from the same political party if he or she dies, withdraws or is disqualified by the Commission on Elections.

The deadline for the period of substitution is on Nov. 15.

Robredo earlier backed a proposal to review the rules on substitution, noting how it is being abused by placeholders of the actual candidates.

The substitution provision became an issue in 2016 when then Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte formalized his run for the presidency weeks after the period of filing for certificates of candidacy lapsed.

“I agree that it has to be revisited. I agree that there should still be a provision on substitution, but the reasons for allowing it should be limited,” the Vice President said at a press conference in Naga City on Oct. 27.

Robredo was in Negros Occidental to meet supporters and beneficiaries of various projects of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). Thousands joined the stationary caravan that welcomed her and Pangilinan upon arrival.

Asked if she is confident that she will again win in the province like in 2016, the Vice President said she is never confident and understands the need to work hard for the people’s support.

“The sheer number of votes that I got in Negros was a big blessing, but I worked really hard for it,” she said. “I am still hoping that not only will I duplicate that feat, but get more (votes).”

Robredo also met with Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson to witness the signing of the memorandum of agreement between her office and the provincial government.

Under the agreement, the OVP will boost the medical assistance program for indigent and vulnerable patients of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, a Level 1 government hospital operated by the provincial government.

According to the OVP, almost 100,000 patients and beneficiaries have already been served by its medical assistance program since Robredo assumed office in 2016.

Meanwhile, Robredo met with new British ambassador Laure Beaufils on Thursday.

Beaufils, the first female ambassador of the United Kingdom in the country, paid a courtesy visit and presented her credentials to the Vice President.

The two discussed efforts of the OVP to address COVID-19 as well as social and economic programs, the statement from Robredo’s office read.

In a post on Twitter, the ambassador expressed gratitude to Robredo “for the warm welcome and our rich and broad-ranging discussion.”

Beaufils arrived in Manila in August and formally presented her credentials to President Duterte last month.