Diokno to Manila voters: We're no family of thieves

Human rights lawyer and senatorial candidate Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno wooed voters in Manila City by pitching that the opposition ticket led by Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo will safeguard, not steal, public funds.

"Hindi kami katulad ng ibang pamilya riyan na ginagamit ang pwesto sa gobyerno para mangurakot," Diokno said, drawing cheers from youth-dominated crowd, with his supporters dubbing themselves as Cheldren.

(We are unlike that family who uses their government positions to steal government funds.)

"Hindi kami tulad ng isang pamilya diyan na ginagamit ang fake news para manloko sa bayan," he added.

(We are unlike that family who uses fake news to fool the people.)

Diokno is the son of the late Senator Pepe Diokno, who was jailed during the Martial Law period.

Then president Ferdinand Marcos and his family were ousted by a People Power Revolt in February 1986. Since then, the state-run Presidential Commission on Good Government has recovered P174 billion worth of ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family.

Vice President Leni Robredo, for her part, said that her administration will be anchored on safeguarding public funds.

"Napatunayan po namin sa Office of the Vice President na kahit maliit ang aming budget, marami kaming nagawa dahil pinangangalagaan namin ang pera ng bayan," Robredo pointed out, referring to her office's Angat Buhay program which provides livelihood and housing assistance, among others, to the poor in partnership with the private sector.

(We have proven in the Office of the Vice President, we can do great things even with a small budget because we manage government resources well.)

"Kahit napakakaunti noong aming pera, dahil wala doon napupunta sa korapsyon, napapaabot namin siya sa pinakamalalayong lugar dito sa ating bansa na nangangailangan. At meron po kaming isang aral na napulot: Pag ang tao naniniwala sayo, ang tao inspirado na tumulong sa kapwa," she added.

(Despite the meager budget, because nothing goes to corruption, we are able to deliver the services needed by the people. We have learned that when people trust you, you are inspired to be of help.)

Robredo said she will never betray the public's trust given the chance to be President.

"Ang amin lang pong mapapangako sa inyo ni Senator Kiko [Pangilinan], ang mapapangako po namin sa inyo na pag kami ‘yung binigyan niyong pagkakataon magsilbi, kung ano ‘yung pinakita namin na klase ng pamamahala mula noong nag-umpisa kami, ‘yun din po ‘yung ibibigay namin: Matino at mahusay na mga lingkod bayan," Robredo said.

(What we can only promise is that we will serve you like we have always did: as competent and honest public servants.)

Manila city has 1.1 million registered voters for the 2022 national elections.

Manila city's mayor, Isko Moreno, is also running for president in the May polls.—LDF, GMA News