One cannot equate former Vice President Leni Robredo with incumbent VP Sara Duterte. To do so is like comparing pomelo to “kiat-kiat” a citrus variety that is about the size of a pingpong ball.
The two grew up in different environments and honed in politics from the same environment. Leni learned the ropes from her husband, Sara from her father.
Sara grew up in an era when the vicious CPP/NPA was in virtual control of Davao City which was known then as “the Killing Field “ of the Philippines. Where international terrorists identified with Jemaah Islamiyah sow fear and terror with bombings of Cathedrals, airport and seaport including night markets.
Leni has neither seen nor experienced those scenarios in the laid back Naga City. Davao City is four times bigger than the national capital region while Naga is as big as the smallest barangay of Davao.
Because of the situational conditions and differences of the two cities their leadership style are worlds apart. VP Sara is stern and stickler for the law when it comes to dealing with criminal elements and the CPP/NPA. She has made use of her Confidential and Intelligence Funds which her accusers and critics make a lot of fuss about. What eloquently argues against that is the indelible fact that Davao City was declared the first in the country to be insurgents free by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This was to be followed later by the entire Davao Region. Now you know why the leftist members of Congress are fuming mad against Sara and rabidly want her to be out in the Presidential race.
Frankly I do not know much about Leni Robredo except for her centerpiece portrayal of being a human rights advocate. Nothing wrong with that in fact it is noteworthy. I do not know too how she would act in an environment where Davao City used to be so we will leave it that way.
Furthermore, while Sara Duterte is uncompromising with the law she will not allow squatters from being unceremoniously ejected from their temporary settlements at the height of calamity. Remember she pummeled a Clerk of Court for implementing an ejectment order despite her pleas to stay the directive as she has yet to attend to victims of calamity? Davao City by the way has several housing projects for displaced families mostly settlers who inhabited river banks and coastal areas affected by flood control projects and construction of the coastal boulevard.
Sara is demonstrative rather than verbose when it comes to planning and implementation. When she settled an outstanding obligations using the ₱125-million CIF transferred from the Office of the President in just 11 days her critics who are used to lethargic behavior in the government bureaucracy considered her fast action irregular.
Leni has an amiable personality. Sara is the Alpha in the family, but is undeniably charming. The elderly women in the many remote villages of indigenous tribes she surprisingly visits, wouldn’t care about security as they welcome her with tight embrace which she is apparently comfortable with.
Sara is firm and decisive. A leader of true grit and courage. Today she stands practically alone against the indecent conspiracy of varied political and ideological forces who fleeced the government’s treasury and wanted her out of the presidential race so that they will continue with their rapacity and diabolic power play.
