VP says her 2022 plans to be made later
VICE President Leni Robredo yesterday made a categorical declaration that building a unified opposition for the 2022 national elections will take precedence over her own decision on whether to run for a national or a local post, or not to run at all.
Speaking on her regular Sunday radio program, BISErbisyong Leni, the Vice President said all options remain open regardless of reports quoting various sources that she is leaning towards seeking a local post.
The one thing she underscored — she will not decide based on the path of least resistance. This after she admitted that the easiest option is to seek a local post.
Robredo, chair of the Liberal Party, also promised that her decision would be announced first on her radio on DZXL and its various provincial stations.
“Sa ngayon, ang pinu-push ko, sana magkaroon lang ng isang kandidato para sa lahat na wala sa admin. Iyon iyong nilalakad ko ngayon (For now, I am pushing for a common bet for all the groups that are not allied with the administration. This is what I am working on),” she said.
“Uunahin ko iyong desisyon sa national kasi ngayon, iyon iyong aking pinaka-obligasyon.
Maraming naghihintay sa desisyon sa national. Ito muna uunahin ko (I am giving priority to the national [issue] because it is a foremost obligation. We have to get this out of the way first), she added.
Robredo disclosed that she has met with several groups and individuals including former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. who dropped by her office in early February to ask about her plans for 2022.
Andaya was quoted as the source of reports last week that Robredo is more inclined to run for governor of Camarines Sur than seek the presidency. Robredo has since denied the report.
“Marami akong mga ka-meeting dito na tinatanong din iyan. Sinasabi ko na nasa proseso ako ngayon ng pagkausap ng maraming tao to help us decide kung tatakbo tayo sa national o hindi. Kapag naka-decide na ako doon at saka ko puwedeng tutukan, tatakbo ba ako sa lokal o hindi na ako tatakbo at all (I have had a lot of meetings over this same question. I keep telling them the same thing — that I am still consulting with a lot of sectors to help me decide whether or not to seek a national post. Only after that can I consider whether to seek a local post or not to run for any seat at all),” she said.
On the administration side, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) came out with a resolution last Monday urging President Duterte to run as vice president in next year’s elections.
Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio, is being urged by her supporters to seek the presidency in 2022. This leaves out acting PDP-Laban president Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, a known presidential hopeful who has opposed the May 31 national assembly which came out with the resolution.
