Robredo to discuss poverty alleviation in Europe trip

MANILA, Philippines — Discussions on the state of poverty in the Philippines will be the center of Vice President Leni Robredo's trips to Germany and the United Kingdom.

On Friday, Robredo will be discussing the economic and political situation in the Philippines at the London School of Economics and Political Science, according to the Office of the Vice President.

The talk, which will be attended by students from LSE and other universities, will focus on the state of poverty in the Philippines and initiatives to address the issue.

The DESTIN Society, a student organization based in the LSE's Department of International Development, invited Robredo to hold the talk.

Aside from the LSE forum, the vice president will be meeting with some Filipinos in London as part of her "Istorya ng Pag-asa" program, which promotes stories of hope and perseverance.

Next week, Robredo will attend a study visit program hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Berlin, Germany.

She will also meet with members of the German government and civil society organizations for discussions on governance, including finding sustainable solutions to poverty alleviation and social justice.

"The activities will include discussions on citizen-oriented and democratic local and national administration, as well as using communication in developing poverty alleviation and social justice strategy for governance," the OVP said in a statement.

Robredo's trip to Europe comes as the Supreme Court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, starts the ballot recount in connection with the electoral protest of former Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

As recount started earlier this week, the camp of Marcos claimed that there were irregularities in ballots from Camarines Sur. The Robredo camp, however, insisted that the missing audit logs that Marcos claimed missing were with the Commission on Elections. — Patricia Lourdes Viray