By Raymund Antonio Acknowledging how difficult it is to campaign without enough funds and manpower, Vice President Leni Robredo underscored the need to level the playing field for rich and less-moneyed candidates during the campaign period. Vice President Leni Robredo
(OVP / MANILA BULLETIN) “Mabigyan lang sana ng pagkakataon, kasi wala silang pera masyadong pareho ng iba na i-ventilate iyong kanilang mga paniniwala by means of TV ads, by means of tarps,” she said. (I hope they will be given the opportunity, because they don’t have much money like the other candidates who can ventilate their beliefs by means of TV, by means of tarps.) The Vice President made the pitch in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental where she was campaigning for the “Otso Diretso” slate. Robredo sees to it that she talks about the eight opposition Senate bets during her community visits so more Filipino voters would get to know them. She called on supporters in the province to help them raise voter’s awareness on Otso Diretso, most of whom are first-time senatorial candidates. They are re-electionist Senator Bam Aquino, former Interior secretary Mar Roxas, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, ex-solicitor general Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romy Macalintal, and former deputy speaker Erin Tañada. “Iyong pinaka-pakiusap ko lang, na tulungan sana kaming ipakilala, na makilala ng mga tao iyong mga kandidato. Tulungan sana na magkaroon ng equal opportunity para mai-ventilate iyong kanilang mga plano,” she said. (My plea is for you to help us to introduce them to the people. Help us to create an equal opportunity to ventilate their plans.) Most members of the Otso Diretso ticket, which the Vice President is endorsing, can’t afford to pay for multiple television advertisements and expensive billboards for campaigning like the administration-backed candidates. They heavily rely on their volunteers who conduct door-to-door campaign to woo voters. During the campaign, Robredo said Filipinos should look for candidates who discuss their stand on pressing issues and not only those who entertain them. “Kasi kapag hindi iyon pinag-usapan, parang walang obligasyon. Parang walang commitment na ‘kapag nakaupo na kami, ang commitment namin, ipapasa namin iyong mga batas na makakapagaan sa buhay ng mga tao,” she said. (Because if that will not be discussed, it’s like they have no obligation. They have no commitment that once elected, our commitment is to pass laws that will uplift the lives of the people.) “Kapag nagkakantahan, nagsasayawan lang iyong mga kandidato, kapag nakaupo na, wala na, eh—walang singilan,” added Robredo. #MatalinongBoto2019