Malacañang has expressed appreciation toward former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo after she commended the Marcos administration’s aggressive strategy in tackling the nation’s housing backlog, signaling a rare moment of accord between the former fierce political rivals of the 2016 and 2022 elections.
During a Palace briefing on Tuesday, June 23, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro lauded Robredo for acknowledging the current administration’s constructive initiatives.
”Ang totoong lingkod bayan ay hindi bulag sa mga ginagawang trabaho at programa ng gobyerno, hindi naninira para sa pansariling pag-angat at hindi ginagawang katatawanan ang kalusugan, buhay o kamatayan ng isang tao,” Castro said.
”Ang dating nakatunggali ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., sa kampanyahan noong 2022 na si Mayor Leni Robredo ay bukas ang mga mata at puso sa mga magagandang programa ng gobyerno,” Castro added.
The official’s statements followed Robredo’s remarks expressing gratitude to the national government for its proactive housing programs dedicated to homeless families.
In a media interview broadcast during the briefing, Robredo pointed out that the national government had not shown this level of intensity regarding housing for a very long time.
She also reflected on her tenure as head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) during the Duterte administration, noting that housing received almost no financial backing at the time.
Castro highlighted that even former political opponents can recognize the hard work of the current leadership.
”Ang dating nakatunggali ay nakikita ang sipag at dedikasyon ng Pangulo at ng mga miyembro ng gabinete sa paglilingkod sa bayan,” Castro also said.
”Walang hatakan pababa o siraan kung hindi puspusang trabaho lang para sa bayan,” she added.
Concluding her remarks, the Palace press officer cautioned citizens against personalities who offer nothing but criticism instead of genuine public service.
”Kaya huwag magpaloko sa mga nagpapanggap na lingkod bayan pero puro paninira lang ang ginagawa at pilit binubulag ang taumbayan sa katotohanan na ang gobyernong ito ay nagta-trabaho, naglilingkod at hindi nagbabakasyon lang,” Castro said.