Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday admitted that her trip to the United States over the holidays came at a bad timing, with Typhoon Nina hitting the Bicol Region at Christmastime.
Robredo, who returned from the said trip on Monday, is now on a week-long visit to the region, starting in Camarines Sur, her home province.
In an interview in Ocampo town, she said it was "unfortunate" that she couldn't be there during the typhoon.
"[M]asama ang timing na iyon, masama din loob ko na nangyari na wala ako," she said. "Actually nasa bakasyon ako pero hindi rin ako makapag-concentrate. Iyong inaasikaso ko iyong relief operations dito."
"Ganoon talaga. Nandoon ako na parang ang sama ng loob ko na may nangyayari dito na wala ako. Isang bagay na hindi din ako masaya, siguro marami din tayong ginawa while wala dito, inaasikaso ang lahat ng relief, pero iba talaga kasi 'pag ako mismo ang nandito," she said.
"Siguro kung mababalik lang, mas gusto ko na nandito ako. Pero making the best out of the situation, hindi na mababalik, pero bumabawi tayo. Asikasuhin... iyong buong staff naman natin, noong wala ako, talaga namang walang napabayaan," she added.
Robredo was criticized, particularly on social media, for being in the US while Nina swept across the Bicol Region and other areas in Luzon in time for Christmas.
Her office came to her defense, saying she was leading their relief operations, called "Task Force Tindog Bikol," even while she was away.
The Vice President herself took to social media to post about developments, including call for volunteers and donations.
On Tuesday, Robredo explained that this year's family reunion was hosted by her sister-in-law, who is based in the US. They have been holding such gatherings for Christmas especially since her husband, former Interior Sec. Jesse Robredo, passed away in August 2012.
She said it was difficult to book an earlier trip back to the Philippines for herself, her three daughters, and her mother because it was peak season. A New Year's Eve trip was the earliest they could get.
"Paglapag ko lang sa US noong pumunta ako, inareglo ko kaagad iyong relief operations, naghahanap ng paraan para makauwi kaagad, pero mahirap kasi peak season," she said.
Asked to comment on bashing she has received, Robredo said she would rather focus on addressing "positive" criticisms. "Ako kasi, may dalawa kasing kritiko. Iyong isang kritiko positibo ang hinahanap para gawan ng paraan. Mayroon namang mga kritiko na kahit anong gawin mo may puna," she said.
"Siguro ang aasikasuhin natin ay i-address natin iyong mga criticisms ng mga magandang loob na mag-criticize. Tingin ko sa mga constituents namin dito hindi ako magkakaproblema in the sense na hindi ako nagpabaya kahit wala ako," she added.
Robredo, who returned from the said trip on Monday, is now on a week-long visit to the region, starting in Camarines Sur, her home province.
In an interview in Ocampo town, she said it was "unfortunate" that she couldn't be there during the typhoon.
"[M]asama ang timing na iyon, masama din loob ko na nangyari na wala ako," she said. "Actually nasa bakasyon ako pero hindi rin ako makapag-concentrate. Iyong inaasikaso ko iyong relief operations dito."
"Ganoon talaga. Nandoon ako na parang ang sama ng loob ko na may nangyayari dito na wala ako. Isang bagay na hindi din ako masaya, siguro marami din tayong ginawa while wala dito, inaasikaso ang lahat ng relief, pero iba talaga kasi 'pag ako mismo ang nandito," she said.
"Siguro kung mababalik lang, mas gusto ko na nandito ako. Pero making the best out of the situation, hindi na mababalik, pero bumabawi tayo. Asikasuhin... iyong buong staff naman natin, noong wala ako, talaga namang walang napabayaan," she added.
Robredo was criticized, particularly on social media, for being in the US while Nina swept across the Bicol Region and other areas in Luzon in time for Christmas.
Her office came to her defense, saying she was leading their relief operations, called "Task Force Tindog Bikol," even while she was away.
The Vice President herself took to social media to post about developments, including call for volunteers and donations.
On Tuesday, Robredo explained that this year's family reunion was hosted by her sister-in-law, who is based in the US. They have been holding such gatherings for Christmas especially since her husband, former Interior Sec. Jesse Robredo, passed away in August 2012.
She said it was difficult to book an earlier trip back to the Philippines for herself, her three daughters, and her mother because it was peak season. A New Year's Eve trip was the earliest they could get.
"Paglapag ko lang sa US noong pumunta ako, inareglo ko kaagad iyong relief operations, naghahanap ng paraan para makauwi kaagad, pero mahirap kasi peak season," she said.
Asked to comment on bashing she has received, Robredo said she would rather focus on addressing "positive" criticisms. "Ako kasi, may dalawa kasing kritiko. Iyong isang kritiko positibo ang hinahanap para gawan ng paraan. Mayroon namang mga kritiko na kahit anong gawin mo may puna," she said.
"Siguro ang aasikasuhin natin ay i-address natin iyong mga criticisms ng mga magandang loob na mag-criticize. Tingin ko sa mga constituents namin dito hindi ako magkakaproblema in the sense na hindi ako nagpabaya kahit wala ako," she added.
Source: gmanetwork
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