After 16-point rise in latest SWS polls
VP Leni elated over public’s growing support despite office’s limitations

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said she appreciates the growing support from the Filipino people despite the limitations set in her office’s mandate.

VP Leni’s net trust ratings for the fourth quarter of 2017 rose by 16 points and a grade to a “very good” +52, said the latest results released by the Social Weather Stations.

“Masayang masaya tayo kasi +16 points iyong net sa akin. Ito kasi, parating affirmation na siguro tama iyong landas na tinatahak natin, tama iyong direksyon na pinapatunguhan ng ating opisina,” she told reporters at the sidelines of the Istorya ng Pag-asa launch in Tandang Sora National High School, Quezon City.

“Medyo mahirap kasi iyong Office of the Vice President kasi hindi naman naiintindihan ng marami na wala tayong mandato para mag-implement ng mga proyekto, kaya marami din iyong hindi nakakaalam kung ano iyong ating ginagawa. Kaya iyong +16 points, napakalaking bagay nito para sa amin kasi gustong sabihin, kahit may ganitong limitasyon, nakakabigay pa rin ng positibong epekto iyong paghihirap na ginagawa namin—lalong lalo siguro iyong aming Angat Buhay program, na iyong talagang tumbok iyong pagtulong sa pinakamahihirap na mga lugar sa ating bansa,” she added.

Prior to this, VP Leni’s ratings also went up per Pulse Asia’s fourth quarter survey, which showed a 59-point approval rating and a 58-point trust rating, an increase of two and three points, respectively, from September 2017.

On proposed abolition of OVP

Despite limitations in her mandate, the Vice President has stayed committed to her role in government, leading the shift of OVP’s focus to more advocacy-driven work, carried out through the flagship anti-poverty program, Angat Buhay.

Driven by the support of partners, mostly from the private sector, Angat Buhay has provided P176-million worth of projects that benefited 89,958 families around the country. The program is currently present in 176 areas in the Philippines.

VP Leni maintains this amid proposals to revise the Constitution in favor of federalism and a parliamentary form of government—moves that may remove OVP from the system.

She added that such proposals and its intentions must be clearly explained to the Filipino people, who she said are the only ones who have the right to take back her mandate.

“Iyong pagkahalal sa akin bilang Pangalawang Pangulo, ang alam kong ibinigay sa akin, anim na taon. Ang puwede lang bumawi noong mandatong iyon, taumbayan din, kaya iyong lahat na proposals, amendments, sa Konstitusyon, kailangang tanungin iyong mga tao kung sang-ayon sila doon,” she said.

“Iyong Konstitusyon kasi, iyon iyong batayan ng lahat ng karapatan at obligasyon ng bawat Pilipino. Iyong proseso ng pag-amyenda nito, sana masusing gawin, magkaroon ng panahon para bawat probisyon ay mapag-aralan. Huwag madaliin. Kasi ito iyong future ng bansa natin,” she added. “Kung palagay ng taumbayan hindi na kinakailangan iyong Pangalawang Pangulo, tayo naman, parati tayong magrerespeto sa kagustuhan ng taumbayan. Pero kinakailangan kahiligan ito ng tao, hindi ng ibang politiko.”