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Robredo urges voters: Don’t fall for sweet words; look at candidates’ track records


Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday urged voters in the 2019 polls not to fall for sweet words and promises, and to study candidates' track records instead.

“[Dapat] hindi madala sa matamis na salita. Kapag panahon ng eleksyon, panahon ng pangako. Pero iyong pinaka-mahalaga kasi, pag-aralan kung sino itong nangangako sa atin,” Robredo said in an interview after the Angat Buhay Youth – ARMM Summit in Cotabato City.

“Ano iyong kaniyang track record? Ano iyong nagawa na in the past kahit bago lang sumasabak sa eleksyon? Sa dating papel na ginagampanan niya? Paano niya ito ginampanan? Kasi ito rin iyong sukat kung ano iyong aasahan natin sa kaniya. We should demand more from the leaders that we elect,” Robredo added.

Robredo was in Cotabato just a day after she led the launching of the Opposition Coalition's Senate slate for the 2019 polls, which include: Senator Bam Aquino, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, former House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, aid worker Samira Gutoc, and Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano.

Of the eight, only Aquino and Roxas have made it to the Top 12 or the winners' circle in pre-election surveys.

Robredo, the chairperson of the Liberal Party (LP), said that the opposition slate is anchored on competence rather than popularity.

“We need to be more discerning [of the people we elect],” she said.

Robredo underscored that the voters should not go for candidates who promise them financial and other forms of assistance because public officials have the responsibility to craft policies which will speed up and guarantee delivery of government services to all.

“Alisin na natin iyong patronage politics; iyong pagyayaya sa pamamaraan ng pagbibigay ng mga materyal na bagay. Parang nagiging utang na loob ng botante iyong serbisyo ng leader. Hindi ganoon, eh. It should be the other way around," Robredo said.

"Kayo [na kandidato] ang nag-prisinta ng sarili niyo. Kayo iyong may obligasyon sa amin na mag-serbisyo,” Robredo added.

The Commission on Elections recently closed its period for the filing of certificates of candidacy for next year's polls, which will be held on May 13, 2019. — BM, GMA News

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