By Raymund Antonio  Even with or without her in the campaign sorties of the “Otso Diresto” slate, Vice President Leni Robredo has vowed to campaign hard for the opposition senatorial bets in the run-up to the May 13 polls. Vice President Leni Robredo
(Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN) The campaign has turned out to be an uphill battle for the eight-member senatorial ticket, especially for those who are not popular, which is one of the reasons why Robredo would be doing her best to introduce them to the voters, and possibly turn the odds to their favor. “Iyong sa atin, we do what we can. Iyong sa akin, every chance I could get na maipapakilala iyong ating mga kandidato, gagawin ko,” Robredo, the leader of the opposition, said. (For me, we do what we can. Every chance I could get, I will introduce our candidates.) “Whenever my schedule will permit, sasama ako. Pero ako, gagawa din ako ng sariling lakad. Marami akong ginagawang mga projects, lalo na sa pinakamahihirap na lugar,” she added. (Whenever my schedule will permit, I will join them. But I will make my own trip. I have many projects, especially in poor areas.) True enough, the Otso Diretso slate saw the massive support of Bicolanos in their first campaign sortie in Camarines Sur, bailwick of Robredo and her late husband and Naga mayor Jesse Robredo, last February 13. The opposition senatorial candidates received warm welcome in Iriga City, where they courted votes in the morning, and headed to Naga City for a proclamation rally at night. A crowd of thousands came out to join the grand rally held at Plaza Quezon to show support for the candidacy of the eight opposition bets. The Vice President admitted it would be hard to replicate the huge turnout in her home province when Otso Diretso candidates campaign in other parts of the country. Robredo is aware that several local government units allied with the Duterte administration had turned down the opposition slate’s requests to hold sorties, but she remains hopeful. “Hindi naman local government officials lang iyong susi. Iyong pinakasusi talaga iyong taumbayan. Iyong sa akin, mapaalam mo lang sa taumbayan kung sino ang mga kandidato, confident ako na dadalhin nila iyan,” she said. (The local government officials are not only the key. The main key is really the people. For me, once you let the people know the candidates, I’m confident they will carry that.) The Otso Diretso bets are former Senator Mar Roxas II, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romy Macalintal, and ex-Quezon congressman Erin Tañada.