(FILE) Vice President Leni Robredo, accompanied by her daughters Aika and Tricia Robredo, personally filed on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, her certificate of candidacy for president in the 2022 national elections. (Photo by OVP)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Vice President Leni Robredo鈥檚 eldest daughter Aika Robredo reminded her mother鈥檚 supporters that those who are supporting other candidates for the presidency should not be treated as enemies.
In a virtual forum hosted by 1Sambayan, Aika was asked to talk about the presidential candidacy of her mother.
In her closing statement, Aika pleaded to her mothers鈥檚 supporters to be more understanding of people who are supporting other presidentiables.
鈥淎lam ko po napaka-polarized ng sitwasyon natin pero sana po 鈥榶ong mga taong iba ang paniniwala sa atin, 鈥榳ag natin sila tignan bilang kalaban.聽 Intindihin po natin na may pinanggagalingan din silang konteksto,鈥� she told the virtual audience which included various 1Sambayan conveners like former education secretary Armin Luistro and former state auditor Heidi Mendoza.
鈥淜ami pong mga magkakapatid may isang recent interview po kami na parang sinasabi niya na napakaraming different kinds of supporters 鈥� may supporter na naglu-look down on others, may supporters going the extra mile.聽 Ako po, okay, parang okay naman na pagsabihan pero at the same time alam din po natin na the past six years bugbog na bugbog din sila,鈥� she added.
Aika also called for open-mindedness amid observations that Robredo鈥檚 supporters are becoming extremely critical of those who are supporting former senator Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos.
Aika said that based on their experience during her mother鈥檚 campaign sorties 鈥� it is easier to convince people if those who are campaigning for her mother are also willing to listen.
鈥淪o balansehin po natin na when we approach other people and try to convince them, siguro po una maging open-minded muna tayo at subukang intindihin kung saan sila nanggagaling.聽 Kasi sa tingin ko po kung alam nila na willing tayong makinig, mas bukas din silang makinig sa atin,鈥� she explained.
Aika and her sisters Tricia, and Jillian, have accompanied their mother several times during the first month of the official campaign period.聽 When the Vice President kicked off her campaign in Camarines Sur and other parts of the Bicol region, her three daughters were with her.
Aika, Tricia, and Jillian were also present at Robredo鈥檚 grand rally in Iloilo City that attracted the biggest crowd of supporters so far.
However, Aika said there were also times during the campaign that they cross areas that are not supportive of the Vice President.
鈥溾�楶ag may nadadaanan po kaming ibang 鈥� may stretches sa kalsada na 鈥榩ag dumadaan kami, ang pina-flash na sign ng ibang tao 鈥榶ong sa kalaban, kasi I guess supporters sila ng kabila.聽 Pero alam niyo po 鈥榩ag kumakaway kami sa kanila, regardless, 鈥榶ong response nila ay kumakaway rin sila sa amin pabalik,鈥� she said.
鈥淪o siguro po 鈥榶ong pinaka-realization ko nito, kung tao sa tao 鈥榶ong usapan maayos naman.聽 鈥榊ong online talaga medyo magulo in the sense na because behind anonymity mas malakas 鈥榶ong loob na makipag-bardagulan.聽 Pero siguro po subukan natin na tayo mismo talaga 鈥榶ong bumaba, kumausap, umintindi, at tingin ko po mas ano rin, habaan 鈥榶ong pasensya at choose kindness always, tingin ko po baka mas maging successful tayo,鈥� she added.
The Vice President earlier called on her supporters to be calm, especially in dealing with people who are supporting other candidates.
READ: Robredo to supporters: 鈥楶ink鈥� must also be experienced, help others
READ: Robredo to supporters: Be calm, gentle and do good deeds
Robredo even issued a stern warning to her supporters who threatened to boycott an Iloilo-based restaurant that accommodated former senator Marcos during his visit to the area.
According to Robredo, it is more important to show love for fellow Filipinos despite differences in political views.
READ: Don鈥檛 do that: Robredo to supporters calling to boycott restos supportive of Marcos