If Vice President Leni Robredo is willing to stand against tyranny, the House Makabayan opposition bloc is ready to unite with her, ACT-Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said on Tuesday.

“Si VP, kung willing tumindig laban dyan, positive ‘yan. Kami sa Makabayan, handang makiisa at makipagtulungan sa lahat ng handang lumaban sa pagtatatag ng dictatorship ni Pangulong (President Rodrigo) Duterte,” Tinio said in a press briefing.

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(If the VP is willing to stand against that, then it’s positive. We in the Makabayan are ready to unite with and help everyone who is ready to fight against the establishment of a dictatorship of President Duterte.)

In a media briefing in Quezon City early Tuesday, Robredo said she opposes some existing policies of the Duterte administration, saying she is willing to lead the opposition against him

“Maraming mga grupo na pareho naman iyong paniniwala. Maraming mga grupo na pareho naman iyong mga issues na gustong salungatin. Pero dahil hindi nag-usap-usap, hindi napapag-isa iyong boses. At iyon iyong role na gusto kong i-take—na siguraduhin na iyong mga boses na nagkakaisa ay lalong mapag-isa para lalong mapakinggan, siguraduhin na iyong mensaheng gustong ipaabot mas maintindihan, at hikayatin iyong iba din iyong paniniwala na makiisa,” she said.

(There are many groups that have the same beliefs. There are also many groups that oppose the same issues. But because they don’t communicate with each other, they can’t unite their voices. And that’s the role I want to take – to make sure that the unanimous voices are even more united so that they are heard, ensure that their message is understood, and urge other who have a different view to come together.)

READ: Robredo willing to lead opposition vs Duterte admin, Palace unfazed

ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro pointed out that their group and the public are already united in fighting against government policies affecting many Filipinos.

“Ngayon, ang Makabayan, kasama ang mamamayang nagkakaisa para tutulan, itigil na ang mga polisiya ng gobyerno sa TRAIN Law, tokhang, tambay at pagpush ng Charter change. Wala naman sigurong masama para magsama-sama ang mamamayan,” she said.

(Now, the Makabayan is with the public in uniting against the government’s policies in the TRAIN law, tokhang operations, loiterers, and pushing for Charter change. There’s nothing wrong in having unity.)

Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas agreed with Tinio and Castro, stressng their main goal to “end the tyrannical regime of Duterte.”

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Malacañang had remained unfazed with Robredo’s pronouncements, with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque saying: “We wish her well.” Syrah Vivien Inocencio, INQUIRER.net intern/je

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