Robredo spox to Mayor: 'Read real news when you have time'

MANILA (UPDATE) – Vice President Leni Robredo should be the least to talk about honesty and integrity, according to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The outspoken daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte was responding to Robredo's remarks when the latter said honesty should be a “given” for those seeking public office, as administration and opposition candidates traded barbs over the importance of truthfulness.

Robredo had responded to Duterte-Carpio's earlier remark that opposition candidates should not hit opponents for alleged dishonesty when they themselves lie.

• Robredo says honesty should be a 'given,' no debate necessary

“Her honesty has been questioned since day one of her term as Vice President. She is not called fake VP for no reason. She has tried to copy her late husband but has failed at every turn. She is facing an electoral protest for massive fraud during the 2016 elections,” the mayor said, referring to the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

“She has refused to answer allegations of her relationship with a married man. She may or may not get away with these but we all know she is not forthcoming in everything,” she said.

Robredo’s vice presidency is facing a challenge from defeated vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos, who alleged massive cheating in the 2016 elections. There was also a rumor that she had a relationship with a lawmaker.

The vice president, also leader of the opposition, has been fighting for her post and has also denied dating rumors.

• Leni Robredo shuts down dating rumors

But Duterte-Carpio was not convinced.

“The reason why good moral character is not a requirement to run for Vice President is because we have so many Leni Robredos in this world,” she said.

“And if she insists in saying that you have to be honest to run for public office, then she must say goodbye to her dreams of becoming President.”

Robredo's spokesperson Barry Gutierrez viewed Duterte-Carpio’s statement as a form of downplaying honesty in public service.

The issues she raised, he added, were nothing but “fake news.”

“Pinatunayan mong hindi ka talaga naniniwala na kailangan ang honesty sa public service,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

(You just proved that you do not believe honesty is necessary in public service.)

He continued: “Ilang beses nang napatunayang peke ang mga ito. Magbasa din kasi ng totoong balita pag may time. Ginawa mo lahat ito para lang sa pag-iwas sa debate ng mga kinakampanya mong kandidato?”

(We have proven many times that these accusations are fake. You should read real news when you have time. You are doing all these just to help candidates you are supporting dodge the call for a debate?)

• READ: 1 vs 8: Sara Duterte dares Otso Diretso to debate