VP Robredo agrees to lead opposition vs. Duterte

Vice President Leni Robredo has agreed to lead the opposition against President Rodrigo Duterte should concerned parties agree on a united front for next year's midterm elections.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Robredo said she has agreed to the request of some groups to lead the opposition provided that all issues that should be agreed upon will be threshed out first.

"Matagal na namang tinake-on ko 'yung role na 'yun, pero this time... merong initiatives na 'yung iba't-ibang grupong gumagalaw, magyu-unite, at hiningi ng mga grupong 'yun if I can lead," Robredo said.

"Sabi ko, oo, pero kailangan pag-usapan 'yung terms. As I've said earlier, hindi pa tapos 'yung usapan, pero 'yung pinaka-unang concern, ano 'yung issues na paga-agreehan," she added.

She said other concerns include the completion of a slate for the 2019 elections on or before September, or before the period for the filing of certificates for candidacy for candidates in the 2019 elections starts on the first week of October.

Robredo has been at odds with Duterte over several issues, including Charter change, the government's heavy handed approach to the war on drugs, possible restoration of the death penalty, lowering the age of criminal liability, and the burial of the late President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Robredo said a united opposition poses a better chance of having their voices heard on common issues.

"Yung purpose lang naman ng pag-unite is to have one voice. Mahirap kasi kung lahat-lahat maingay, mahirap kung andaming nagsasalita ng sabay-sabay, lalong hindi naririnig," the widow of the late Interior secretary Jesse Robredo said.

"Pero kung pinag-uusapan kung paano ipapaabot 'yung mensahe, baka mas mabuti 'yun," she added. "Maraming mga grupo na pareho naman 'yung mga issues na gustong salungatin, pero dahil hindi nag-uusap-usap, hindi napapag-isa 'yung boses."

Robredo said she will still attend Duterte's third State of the Nation Address on July 23 as it is part of her duties as vice president.

"Dadalo ako, siyempre. Isa yun sa mga obligasyon natin bilang pangalawang pangulo," she said.

Robredo quit her post as Housing secretary in December 2016 after Duterte barred her from attending Cabinet meetings. Though she does not believe Duterte will offer her a post, Robredo said she is open to any such offers. —KBK, GMA News