MANILA, Philippines – Liberal Party’s (LP) vice presidential candidate Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Monday responded to comments comparing her to former president Corazon "Cory" Aquino, saying sympathy votes are not enough.
“Palagay ko kung binoboto lang kami dahil may simpatiya sa amin yung tao, hindi ‘yun enough,” Robredo said in an interview with dzMM.
Robredo and former President Aquino are being compared since they are both widows who sought for higher post after their husband’s death. In 2012, Robredo decided to run as Camarines Sur representative and took over the office in 2013.
During the announcement of Robredo’s vice presidential bid at Club Filpino on Monday, President Benigno Aquino III also likened Robredo to his late mother.
Robredo said that she should not be compared to Cory since times are different now as Cory became a symbol of struggle that inspired several Filipinos to fight during the Marcos dictatorship.
The LP’s vice presidential candidate said she prefers that people will vote her not only because she was the wife of late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.
“Pero 'yung kami ngayon, iba na 'yung panahon ngayon. Hindi na ito y'ung panahon nung nakikipaglaban tayo sa isang diktadura. Kaya mas gustuhin ko man na totoong asawa ako nung asawa ko, pero mas gugustuhin ko naman yata na di lang ‘yun ang basehan ng pagboto sa akin,” Robredo said.
On Monday, Robredo officially accepted the challenge to become Manuel “Mar” Roxas II’s running mate for the 2016 polls.
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