The reply of legitimately elected Vice President Leni Robredo that it’s not for President Duterte to say whether or not she is qualified to run for President is a rightful reaction against the President’s offensive attack.
What could be the basis of Mr. Duterte’s pronouncement?
More than 14 million Filipinos voted for Robredo as vice president in the 2016 elections, defeating a strong political name from the north of Luzon whose father shamelessly ruled the Philippines as a dictator for 20 years. Robredo’s legitimacy as vice president has been affirmed by the Supreme Court by junking the election protest of her opponent, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
It is too early to denounce her potential as a leader should she ever run for president in 2022. She can be quiet and looks timid, and she may not be invincible, but she could have the ferocity of a lady fighter like Joan of Arc. To test her, why not elect her president? Only by this test can the Filipino people judge her strengths and weaknesses.
JOSE M. BRIONES, Albay
jomebriones@yahoo.com