Robredo to Duterte: Why govern based on fake news?

Why govern based on fake news?

Vice President Leni Robredo had this to ask to the Duterte administration less than a day after President Rodrigo Duterte falsely accused her of asking his whereabouts during the typhoons and of giving orders to the military to help typhoon victims.

“Sinasabi niya po hinahanap ko raw siya noong panahon na nagbabaha sa Cagayan. Hindi po iyon totoo. Bakit ako maghahanap na bising-busy na nga tayo sa pagtulong at pagsagot sa mga distress calls?” Robredo said in an interview during her visit and turn over of aid to typhoon victims in Camarines Sur.

“Kung sino man iyong nagsumbong sa Pangulo, nagsisinungaling. At hindi po ito first time na nangyari. Noong tinanggal po ako sa Cabinet, ganoon din iyong dahilan. Ang basehan niya isang kasinungalingan na sinabi sa kaniya sumama raw ako sa isang rally sa EDSA na hindi totoo. Ngayon na naman, hinahanap ko raw siya noong panahon ng bagyo. Hindi rin totoo,” Robredo added.

Robredo was referring to a time in December 2016 when she was removed as the chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

“Ang pinaka-punto ko lang, ano ba naman iyan? Bakit iyong pamamahala naka-base sa fake news? Hindi po siya nakakatulong, lalo na ngayong sakuna,” Robredo stressed.

Robredo also cited the comments made by Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, who claimed that she was free-riding on government resources in helping typhoon victims by flying on a government plane to typhoon-hit Catanduanes.

Robredo has denied this and in 24 hours, Panelo and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana apologized to Robredo's staff over the false accusation.

“Kino-call out ko pa lang po si Secretary Panelo kasi nabalitaan ko kahapon na nagsabi rin siya na nagra-ride on daw ako sa programa ng gobyerno kasi sumama raw ako sa isang C-130 flight na puno raw ng relief goods from DSWD and NDRRMC  Pinalabas ko raw na akin daw iyon. Iyon po, 100 percent kasinungalingan. Hindi po ako sumakay sa C-130. Mayroon po kaming sariling pamigay,” Robredo pointed out.

DSWD is the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“Hindi ko po kailangang mag-ride on kasi maraming private citizens na tumutulong sa atin,” Robredo added.

Robredo visited typhoon-hit areas in Ragay and Pasacao, Camarines Sur for the turn over of aid on Wednesday. Prior to this visit, Robredo also launched relief operations in typhoon-ravaged areas of Polilio island, the island province of Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, Marikina City, Rizal, Cagayan and Isabela provinces.

On Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque claimed that Robredo was making it appear that she was on top of the government response in the aftermath of the devastation brought by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Robredo had merely been providing updates on her office's relief work. — BM, GMA News