Robredo urged to concede to appease supporters

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) called on Vice President Leni Robredo to concede following the landslide win of presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

NTF-ELCAC Spokesperson Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy said a concession speech from Robredo’s camp would appease distraught supporters.

“Malaking bagay para sa bansa na huhupa itong mga fiery emotions ‘pag nag-concede siya. Actually ‘yun ‘yung isa sa mga functions ng concession speech, at parte siya ng demokrasya, ng democratic process ng election, ‘yung concession. Lalo na ‘pag maliwanag na clean and credible ‘yung elections, (It’s significant for the country to appease these fiery emotions, once she [VP Leni Robredo] concedes. Actually, that’s one function of a concession speech, it’s a part of a democratic process of election, the concession. Especially when it is very clear that there’s a clean and credible election.)" she said.

Despite reports of faulty vote-counting machines, Badoy noted the 2022 polls had been clean, and its integrity remains unquestionable.

She added that the independent poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council For Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has already said no irregularities were seen, as electronic election returns (ERs) match the fourth physical copy they are holding.

The PPCRV has earlier encouraged critics to maintain consideration for their volunteers and coordinate with them for concerns and clarifications.

Badoy warned parents to be vigilant as the communists-terrorists groups are in the guise of democratic assemblies, aiming to recruit the enraged youth whose original intention was to express election dissent.

“Sa mga magulang, bantayan ninyo yung mga anak ninyo, kasi hindi yan simpleng rally, ang nasa likod niyan ay ang CPP-NPA-NDF, at hindi dissent ang kanilang, hindi democratic process ang interes nila kundi i-recruit ang mga anak ninyo para maging CPP-NPA-NDF or kaya gawing sacrificial lamb ‘pag meron silang tinapon na granada diyan, at mamatay, at natural, ibibintang nila sa gobyerno ‘yan, (To parents, watch out for your children, these are not simple rallies, behind them are the CPP-NPA-NDF, and their [intention] is not dissent, their interest is not for a democratic process, instead to recruit your children as members of the CPP-NPA-NDF or be sacrificial lambs, if they throw grenade there, and [children] die, undoubtedly, they will accuse the government,)" she said.

Badoy clarified they are not against lawful assemblies but cautioned the youth to be careful of the terrorist groups’ deception.