Robredo still mulling over options for 2022

Leni Robredo

While saying that she remained open to running for President in next year’s elections, Vice President Leni Robredo admitted on Sunday that she was “more attracted” to a local post, adding that she was still considering her options.

In her weekly radio show, Robredo addressed for the first time former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s recent announcement that he was ready to become the opposition’s standard-bearer under the 1Sambayan coalition should she decide to run for Camarines Sur governor.

But Trillanes clarified that he was ready to step aside if she would declare her intention to seek the country’s highest post.

Robredo, however, reiterated that she had yet to make up her mind because she was focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I can run as President, governor, congressman—I can even run as mayor like before, or I won’t run at all, since that’s what my daughters want. But I can’t even think about that yet because we’re so busy with the pandemic,” she said.

But she disputed claims that the recent transfer of her residency from her hometown in Naga City to Magarao, Camarines Sur, was part of the preparations for a gubernatorial run.

She said the change in residency was to allow her to manage the property left behind by her deceased mother as all her siblings were working overseas.

Rumors not true

“Those plans were already in motion last year but [they] created so much controversy,” Robredo said. “So those rumors that I was already laying the groundwork for my political plans, those are not true. I have not accommodated any political meetings.”

Still, she admitted being “more attracted” to running for a local post, saying she missed engaging with people on the ground.

“But I understand I have responsibilities, that’s why I have not yet closed the option to run for President because anything is possible,” Robredo stressed. “Remember my previous run for Congress [in 2012], and for the vice presidency … were not planned. I was brought here.”

But her political pace would have been “much different” if there was no pandemic, she mused, acknowledging her supporters’ frustration over her seeming slowness to announce her plans for the 2022 elections.

Composed of former government officials and members of civil society organizations, 1Sambayan aims to form a “single, united democratic slate” for next year’s polls to “block the continuation of a dictatorial and authoritarian administration.”

In response to Trillanes’ announcement, the newly formed coalition said he was already among its possible candidates for a national post, including the presidency, along with Robredo.

‘True opposition’

The former senator, on the other hand, said he made the announcement not because he wanted to divide the opposition but because he wanted to make sure they would not “lose by default.”

He said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel that during the first round of interviews conducted by 1Sambayan, Senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay said they were not interested in seeking the presidency. This left only Robredo and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

“If VP Leni decides not to run, then, by default, that position would go to Mayor Isko Moreno,” Trillanes said, adding that this would deprive the “true opposition” of representation in the coalition’s selection process.

He called Domagoso a “Johnny-come-lately” member of the opposition, saying the Manila mayor was being “opportunistic because of the changing political tides [and] suddenly shifting alignments.” INQ