VICE President Leni Robredo yesterday said she is more inclined to run for a local position even if she is expected to lead the opposition as its standard-bearer in the 2022 national elections.
Robredo, however, said she remains open to all possibilities, from gunning for the presidency or seeking lower a local post, to not running at all.
“Hindi ko nga alam kung kakandidato pa ako. Pero kung kakandidato pa ako, mas attractive talaga sa akin iyong local… iyong hinahanap ko kasi iyong engagement sa ground (I don’t even know if I’m still running, but if I decide to run, a local post is more attractive… because I’m looking for engagement on the ground),” she said in her weekly radio program aired over RMN.
The Vice President called on other camps not to preempt her, saying final decisions and announcements should come from her. She was apparently referring to former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV who announced last week that Robredo is running for governor of Camarines Sur,
“Huwag naman akong pangunahan. Kapag sinabi mong nakapagdesisyon na ako, mali ka kasi wala pa akong desisyon. And ako, from the very start, honest ako niyan, kasi kung may desisyon na ako…bakit ko naman itatago iyong desisyon ko? (Please don’t preempt me. When you say that I’ve made my decision, that’s wrong because I’ve not decided yet and from the very start, I’ve been honest. Why would I hide it once I’ve made a decision?)” Robredo said.
Trillanes said in a statement last week he would seek the presidency in 2022 “in view of VP Leni’s preparations to run for governor of Camarines Sur in 2022.” He pointed to reports that Robredo transferred her residence in preparation for the gubernatorial race.
Trillanes, an ally of the Liberal Party and a staunch political opponent of President Duterte, also made it clear, however, that he would step aside to give way to Robredo if she eventually decides to seek the presidency.
Former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, an LP official, said Robredo is not eligible to run for governor of the province because a registered voter of Naga City like her does not get to vote in the gubernatorial race, being a resident of a highly urbanized city.
Robredo, a lawyer who renders free legal services to the poor in Naga City, said seeking a local post such as governor, mayor or congresswoman is more attractive because she is comfortable working in communities.
But she said she also understands she has “responsibilities,” and that is why she is still open to seeking the presidency.
Robredo said she has been saying since last year that her options remain open, especially since her daughters do not even want her to seek another elective post.
“Ano yung options na yun? Tumakbo ako ng pangulo, governor, congressman, mayor. Or hindi na ako tumakbo at all – yun ang gusto ng mga anak ko (What are those options? To run for president, governor, congressman, mayor or to not run at all. That’s what my daughters want),” said the Vice President.
She said that while many people want her to declare her political plans now, she could not do it because she remains focused on pandemic work and it would be insensitive to talk about politics now.
Her “pace” would have been different if there is no pandemic, Robredo said, stressing she has a moral obligation to help people in battling the pandemic by helping the government’s COVID-19 response.
A Pulse Asia survey released in December 2020 showed Robredo in fifth place among presidential preferences, which was led by presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte
