Abante questions Duterte’s record, backs Robredo on integrity for 2028

A sharp line was drawn by impeachment endorser and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. over the weekend between former Vice President Leni Robredo and Vice President Sara Duterte as talk of the 2028 presidential race heats up.

Abante urged voters to prioritize integrity and accountability over personality and popularity, arguing that Robredo enters any comparison without corruption complaints, unlike Duterte, who he said remains hounded by serious allegations.

“Meron bang complaints si Leni sa corruption, compared to the Vice President right now? ’Yun dapat na makita ng taong bayan. Hindi pinag-uusapan dito ang personality. Ang pinag-uusapan dito, kailangan natin ng pangulo na matino at malinis,” Abante said.

Chair of the House Committee on Human Rights and vice chair of the Quad Comm, Abante said the electorate is becoming more discerning, paying closer attention to allegations, competence, and governance even before the campaign season.

“There should be a record to show or to offer to the country that is different, so we can see the Philippines stand up and become progressive,” he added.

Abante noted that Robredo and Duterte share similarities in their political résumés, having both served as mayor and vice president, making track record and performance central to any comparison.

“May similarity naman si Leni at si Sara. Naging mayor ’yung dalawa, naging vice president. Ang pinag-uusapan dito na dapat makita ng taong-bayan natin ’yung track record. Ano ba ’yung track record ni Leni? Ano ’yung track record ni Sara?” he said.

He questioned Duterte’s stint at the Department of Education, framing it as a test of executive leadership.

“Ano ba ’yung nagawa ni Sara when she was the secretary of DepEd for two years? Nadagdagan ba ’yung mga classroom? Gumanda ba ’yung restrooms sa mga public school? Gumanda ba ang ating education? At this point in time, kahit ngayon, nakikita natin, ang education natin ay hindi maganda,” Abante said.

He added that any serious presidential bid must offer a clear direction for the country beyond political lineage, stressing the need for continuity in economic rehabilitation and progress.

“She might be winnable, but she is not unbeatable,” Abante said of Duterte, adding that political fortunes can shift before 2028.

“Kung ang iniisip po ng maraming tao na ito hindi na matatalo, hindi pa rin ’yun. Palagay ko may mga pagbabago na mangyayari sa 2028,” he said.