Robredo says Otso Diretso gaining momentum as polls draw near
MANILA, Philippines — The momentum has swung in favor of the Otso Diretso slate with less than three weeks to go before the 2019 midterm elections, according to Vice President Leni Robredo.
Robredo said the number of Otso Diretso volunteers campaigning nationwide is proof that the eight candidates have high chances of landing Senate seats.
“The level of commitment and dedication of our volunteers is very inspiring. All over the country, they even spend for the campaign collaterals,” she told reporters in Filipino in Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, on Monday.
“So I feel that the momentum is with Otso Diretso. Our volunteers need to feel that we are one in this fight,” she added.
Robredo’s statements, however, do not reflect the survey rankings of the opposition bets. Only two of Otso Diretso candidates managed to break into the top 15 — reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas II.
The other candidates — Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, and former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada — weren’t even in the top 20, but they have made significant leaps in the rankings.
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However, Robredo said that she remains hopeful that all eight will be elected to the Senate.
“Ako, I will be hopeful until the very last day, dahil naniniwala ako na the best iyong aming mga kandidato […] matitino, mahuhusay, may paninindigan. Kaya iyong sa akin, maiparating lang sa taumbayan iyong mensahe, napakalaki ng pagkakataon,” she explained.
(I am hopeful until the very last day because I believe that our candidates are the best — they are talented and committed. If we can bring this message to the public, that is already a huge chance.)
She also revealed that the opposition is courting the vote-rich Negros island, as history supposedly shows that its people have stood for what is “right.”
“Nakita natin ito noong panahon ng diktaduryang Marcos. Nakita natin na sa lahat na matitinding laban, iyong Negros talagang iyong pushback malakas. Hindi nagpatinag sa mga powerful na mga nakaupo.” Robredo said.
(We’ve seen this during the Marcos dictatorship. We’ve seen this in our greatest fights. The pushback in Negros has always been strong. They didn’t allow themselves to be intimidated by those in power.)
“Ang pakiramdam ko, sa 2019 elections ipapakita ulit ng Bacolod saka ng Negros iyong kaniyang paninindigan (I have a feeling that in the 2019 election, Bacolod and Negros will again show their stand),” she added. /ee
