Robredo: Getting job done more urgent than ratings

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said doing her job well is more urgent than boosting her popularity rating, adding focusing on the latter would be "insensitive" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Tingin ko napaka-insensitive natin sa pinagdadaanan na kahirapan ng mga kababayan natin kung sa gitna ng pandemic ay naisip natin mag-ikot para sa 2022 elections," Robredo told reporters at a vaccination event in Pasay City.

(To go around and prepare for the 2022 elections is being insensitive to the plight and struggle of the people amid the pandemic.) 

The event dubbed Vaccine Express,  which provides exclusive vaccination lane for tricycle and pedicab drivers as well as delivery service riders, is project of Robredo's office in partnership with the city government of Manila.

"Nakikita niyo naman kung ano ang ginagawa ng opisina namin. Kung ganito iyong ginagawa ng staff namin tapos ako umiikot para sa pulitika, anong klaseng leader ako? Asikasuhin ko muna ang trabaho ko. Kung di tataas ang numero ko, hindi bale na," Robredo said.

(You can see what my office and staff are doing. If I would rather go around for politics, what kind of a leader am I? I'd rather do my job. If it means it will not improve my ratings, it's okay with me.)

Robredo ranked sixth among possible 2022 presidential candidates based on the Pulse Asia poll released this month. She scored 6%, way below the 28% rating of poll leader Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, has said she is doing consultations in communities for a possible 2022 presidential run but maintained that it is not at the expense of neglecting her duties as mayor.

Vaccine Express

Meanwhile, for her office's Vaccine Express initiative, Robredo said interested recipients should register first through the Manila government’s Facebook page.

The recipients will then have to wait less than an hour to get the dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

According to Robredo, the vaccine supply came from the Manila government and the staff who will conduct the vaccinations were staff and volunteers of the Office of the Vice President.

"The OVP is in charge of the organizing the volunteers, logistics... the setting up of everything,” she said.

Recipients will also receive incentives such as food packs and gas cards, Robredo said.

For the vaccination on Tuesday, Robredo said her office also coordinated with tricycle operators and drivers' associations that listed the persons who will be vaccinated.

Robredo said they are eyeing to expand Vaccine Express to other areas. —with Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News