Malacañang: Leni Robredo's eyes open to Marcos admin's efforts, gains

Malacañang on Tuesday praised former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo for recognizing the “aggressive” efforts of the national government for its housing program, despite being a contender of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the 2022 elections.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro reacted to the recent interview of Robredo in which the Naga City mayor commended the Marcos administration’s flagship Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

“Ang dating nakatunggali ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., sa kampanyahan noong 2022 na si Mayor Leni Robredo ay bukas ang mga mata at puso sa mga magagandang programa ng gobyerno,” Castro said.

(Mayor Leni Robredo, the former opponent of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections, has opened eyes and hearts to the good programs of the government.)

“Ikinalulugod niya at pinahahalagahan ang mga ginagawa ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. Hindi niya tinatago ang katotohanan sa mga Pilipino ang agresibong pagpapatupad ng pangakong pabahay para sa benepisyaryo,” she added.

(She appreciates what the administration of President Marcos Jr. is doing. She does not hide the truth from Filipinos regarding the government’s aggressive implementation of its housing program.)

In an interview in Naga City, Robredo thanked the national government for its “aggressive” housing initiative for the homeless. She noted that for a very long time, she has not seen the government exert such effort as far as housing is concerned.

Robredo previously served as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) during the Duterte administration.

“In fact, noong nakaupo ako sa HUDCC, ‘yung problema namin halos walang budget for housing. Pero ngayon, nakikita natin na ‘yung budget for housing nama-maximize talaga,” she said.

(In fact, when I was at HUDCC, our problem was that there was almost no budget for housing. But now, we see that the budget for housing is really being maximized.)

For Malacañang, a true public servant recognizes the work of the government.

“Ang totoong lingkod bayan ay hindi bulag sa mga ginagawang trabaho at programa ng gobyerno, hindi naninira para sa pansariling pag-angat, at hindi ginagawang katatawanan ang kalusugan, buhay o kamatayan ng isang tao,” Castro said.

(A true public servant is not blind to the work and programs of the government, does not slander anyone for personal gain, and does not make fun of someone’s health, life, or death.)

“Ang dating nakatunggali ay nakikita ang sipag at dedikasyon ng Pangulo at ng mga miyembro ng Gabinete sa paglilingkod sa bayan,” she added. “Walang hatakan pababa o siraan kung hindi puspusang trabaho lang para sa bayan.”

(The former contender can see the hard work and dedication of the President and the members of the Cabinet in serving the people… There is no pulling someone down or ruining other’s image, just actual work for the people.)

Castro also advised the public not to be fooled by those who pretend to be public servants.

“‘Wag magpaloko sa mga nagpapanggap na lingkod bayan pero puro paninira lang ang ginagawa at pilit binubulag ang taumbayan sa katotohanan na ang gobyernong ito ay nagta-trabaho, naglilingkod at hindi nagbabakasyon lang,” she said.

(Don’t be fooled by those who pretend to be public servants who keep on doing damage and trying to blind the people to the fact that this government is actually working, serving, and not just taking a vacation.) — JMA, GMA News