Robredo apologizes for bad internet connection during KBP forum, blames herself

Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo on Friday apologized for the bad internet connection on her end during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Presidential Candidates Forum, saying it was her fault.

Robredo's turn in the question and answer portion was moved at least twice due to the faulty internet connection during the three-hour event. Her connection eventually pulled through after initial glitches but there were still moments where her connection was choppy.

"I apologize for the bad connectivity during the forum. The fault is all mine," Robredo said in a statement.

"Our team tried hard to convince me to cancel all other engagements, pero pinilit ko pa din hanapan ng paraan to fulfill all our commitments, dahil alam kong naghihintay yung communities na pupuntahan namin, para maihatid yung tulong na pabahay bago magstart ang campaign period," Robredo added.

(My team told me to cancel other engagements, but I forced myself to look for ways to fulfill all our commitments because the communities we are due to visit so we can turn over the housing program before the campaign period.)

Robredo also shared that she had to listen to the audio of the KBP Forum in a landline because of the faulty internet connection.

Prior to the KBP Forum, Robredo said she had to borrow a room in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to be able to participate in the KBP initiative ahead of her visit to typhoon Odette-hit communities.

"Again, our apologies. Maraming lessons learned. We will do better next time," she added. 

Robredo’s spokesperson, lawyer Barry Gutierrez, was likewise apologetic.

"I feel your pain, guys. We all want to see VP Leni at her best and internet issues get in the way of that. That she was in a borrowed office is no excuse, and if you need someone to blame, blame me," Gutierrez said in a Tweet.

"That hate will be motivation to make sure this won't happen again," he added.— RSJ, GMA News