De Lima says Robredo ‘had a reason’ to endorse Pacquiao, Abalos
by Jason Sigales · INQUIRER.NETMANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list first nominee and former Senator Leila De Lima said former Vice President Leni Robredo “had a reason” to endorse former Senator Manny Pacquiao and former Interior chief Benhur Abalos’ senatorial bids.
Pacquiao and Abalos are both under the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate backed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whom Robredo lost to in the 2022 presidential election.
“Alam naming marami ang nagtatanong at nalilito sa desisyon ni VP Leni… Malamang po, may pinanggagalingan ang desisyong iyon,” De Lima said in a statement on Thursday. “Ang sa amin po: buo ang tiwala namin sa kanya.”
(We know many are asking about and are confused about the decision of VP Leni… There was probably a reason for that decision… On our part, our trust in her is whole.)
“Nananawagan kami sa ating mga kababayan: huwag tayong maligaw. Malinaw ang dapat pagtuunan: ang katiwalian, ang panlilinlang, at ang pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, hindi ang isa’t isa,” De Lima added.
(We call on our fellow countrymen: don’t be led astray. What we have to focus on is clear: corruption, deception and the abuse of power, not turning on each other.)
Robredo made the endorsement on Wednesday, after the administration senatorial candidates visited her in Naga City, where she is now running for mayor.
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READ: Leni Robredo backs Senate bid of Manny Pacquiao, Benhur Abalos Jr.
The former president endorsed De Lima’s party-list representative bid last March.
READ: Robredo endorses De Lima’s House bid during Naga City sortie
De Lima was part of Robredo’s 2022 senatorial slate but lost in that race.
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