16-07-2025
Leni Robredo: Bam, Kiko embracing more allies no betrayal of cause
Former vice president and incumbent Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo said the move of her allies Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan to reach out for more allies is not betrayal but a way to strengthen the fight for reforms.
In a podcast interview, Robredo said Aquino and Pangilinan won big in Eleksyon 2025 because they were not quick to dismiss people who share their belief of improving Filipinos' quality of life despite disagreements with other parties on some issues.
"Sa atin lang, if we fight right, may chance tayo. Gaya ng ginawa nila Senator Bam (Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan), kung gusto natin manalo, kailangan mas lawakan natin iyong space natin para sa dissenting views. 'Yung support pa din ng base [ang nagdala]. Pero more than that, 'yung strategy din na in-employ nila," Robredo said.
(If we fight right, we have a chance. Just like what Senators Bam and Kiko did. They allowed space for those with dissenting views. The base delivered for them, but on top of that, it was this strategy that they employed that delivered.)
"Hindi sila naging purist, mas naging pragmatic na klaro sa isip na kailangan itong ipanalo. Maraming desisyon na ginagawa kami for Bam and Kiko. 'Yung feeling ng iba na parang naging traitor na agad for the cause, pero actually necessary siya para makatawid. Parang nag-pay off naman in the end. They did what needs to be done na without sacrificing their principles," Robredo said in a recent episode of The Linya Linya Show podcast.
(They were not purists, they were pragmatic and had a clear mind that the victory was needed. A lot of decisions were made for them, and some felt it was a betrayal of the cause, but actually it was necessary and paid off in the end. They did what needs to be done without sacrificing their principles.)
In the end, Robredo said Aquino and Pangilinan even got the backing of local officials during the 2025 elections even if these officials did not back here Eleksyon 2022 presidential bid.
Aquino finished second in the 2025 senatorial race with more than 20 million votes, while Pangilinan placed fifth with more than 15 million votes even though they hardly made it to Top 12 in pre-election polls.
Robredo's interview came amid the ongoing changes in the Senate under the 20th Congress and reports that Aquino and Pangilinan are set to join the administration or majority bloc in the Senate to advance their advocacies.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who supported Aquino and Pangilinan in their 2025 senatorial bids, has expressed openness to join the Senate "veterans bloc," but not the majority.
Inclusivity vs. cancelling
In the same interview, Robredo urged allies and supporters to embrace collaboration and inclusivity rather than "cancelling" out people based on a single issue.
"Marami pa rin kasi tayong mga kasama na mas puso, mas puso yung pinapairal, mas emotion. Ako, kung gusto natin manalo, 'di puwede 'yun eh. Kung gusto nating manalo, kailangan mas malayo 'yung pagtingin natin at mas malawak," Robredo said.
(We have a lot of allies who are more driven by emotions. If we want to win, we cannot do that. If we want to win, we need to long farther down the road with a broad view.
"Ngayon, [just] one move ng isang kandidato na hindi sang ayon sa kanila, aawayin [na]. Hindi iyon nakakatulong eh. Parang masyadong defeatist. We should look for the consistency of their actions, rather than a single issue. Parang sa mag-asawa rin, hindi naman kayo perpekto. Pero dahil mahal niyo ang isa't isa, nagbibigay kayo ng espasyo," Robredo added.
(If they disagree on one issue, they mob the person with criticism. It does not help. It's like a defeatist attitude. We should look for consistency of their actions, rather than a single issue. It's like a married couple, neither are perfect individuals but because you love each other, you give each other space.)
Robredo said reforms can only be achieved when genuine public servants are elected into office, and that even allies have different moves to play so that competent ones are voted into office by the public.
"Halimbawa, [kung] ang paniniwala ko dapat inaatake talaga natin lahat ng kalaban. Okay naman iyon, pero irespeto mo rin iyong paniniwala ng iba na ang tingin nila hindi 'yan ang way, ang tingin nila mas effective itong [ibang paraan]. We each have roles to play. Merong tumitira, merong nagdidiplomasya, some strategize, but we all work together," Robredo said.
(If one believes that we should criticize on all enemies, then that is fine. But that person should also respect other allies who might think of a different approach. We each have roles to play. Some criticize, some use diplomacy, some strategize, but we all work together.)
"'Yung nakita ko kasi sa iba nating kasama hindi gan'un e. Kung ako tumitira, gusto ko lahat tayo tumitira. Hindi naiintindihan [iyong roles eh]. Mahihirapan tayo na wala tayong espasyo para don sa mga hindi eksakto sa paniniwala natin," she added.
(I've seen that some of our colleagues are not like this. For them, if I criticize, I want all of us to criticize. The individual roles are not understood. It will be very hard for us if we are not going to allow space for people who do not share our beliefs to the letter.)
Kiko's promise
In a separate statement, Pangilinan echoed Robredo that reaching out to more allies is betrayal of the cause.
"I have not turned my back on my principles. I hope that those who support me will understand that I have a promise to keep: to bring down the prices of food and strengthen the agricultural sector. Tanging ito, at hindi ang pansariling interes, ang magiging basehan ng aking magiging pasya sa July 28 kung sa minorya ba o sa mayorya tayo lulugar," Pangilinan said.
(This is my sole promise—not personal interest— which will be the basis of my upcoming decision on July 28 if I will side with the minority or majority.)
"Many elected officials do not take their own campaign promises seriously and forget about them when elected. I am not that kind of elected official. My word is my honor. In the end, my final decision on the 28th will be guided by the above mentioned considerations. As I seek to understand those who disagree with me, I pray and humbly seek to be understood as well," Pangilinan added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
