Robredo says ex-solon Andaya urged her to run for governor, but ‘no decision’ yet

Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday revealed that former congressman Rolando Andaya Jr. talked to her in February to convince her to run for governor in the 2022 elections.

Robredo, in her weekly radio program, revealed this as she stressed that she is still in “decision making process” when it comes to her electoral bid, as she currently focuses on her duty as vice president.

“Iyong last kong nakausap in person, si Congressman Andaya ay February. February of 2021. Pumunta sila sila sa office at inaaya nga ako. Inaaya ako na mag-governor,” she revealed to radio DZXL.

(The last time I talked to in person was former Congressman Andaya back in February of 2021. They went to my office and asked me to run for governor.)

“And sinabi ko rin sa kanila na hindi pa ako makakapag-decide soon dahil may mga responsibilities ako sa national,” she explained. “May mga responsibilities ako sa national na hindi ko puwedeng talikuran nang basta-basta.”

(I also told them that I could not decide soon because I still have responsibilities in the national government that I could not turn my back on.)

Robredo previously said that local positions are “attractive” to her, but stressed that she is not ruling out a presidential bid.

“So sa akin, totoo na attractive sa akin iyong option na iyon pero wala pa akong desisyon,” she noted.

(So for me, the gubernatorial post is attractive to me but there is still no decision.)

Robredo said she is still in talks to “help” her decide her next step.

“Sinasabi ko na nasa proseso ako ngayon ng pagkausap ng maraming tao to help us decide kung tatakbo tayo sa national o hindi,” she explained.

(I am still now in the process of talking to many people to help us decide whether or not we will run for a national post.)

JE