Drilon says Robredo should no longer eye local posts

Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — For Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Vice President Leni Robredo should no longer entertain any local post for the 2022 elections as she has a “better chance” of winning now than she did in the 2016 polls.

“So she has a better chance today than she had in 2016. If she won with 1 percent at that time, she has a better chance with 6 to 8 percent today,” Drilon told reporters in an interview Tuesday.

“It’s a question of being able to decide as soon as possible…to me, at this point. she should no longer entertain—if you ask me—she should no longer entertain any local post,” he added.

Earlier, Robredo admitted that her recent survey ratings are among the reasons she is holding back on deciding whether she would launch a presidential run in 2022.

A recent Pulse Asia survey conducted from June 7 to June 16 showed that out of the 2,400 respondents, only 6 percent of them would vote for Robredo as president.

The most preferred candidate was presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Caprio, with 28 percent saying she was their choice.

But Drilon pointed out that when Robredo won the vice presidency against former Senator Bongbong Marcos in 2016, her voter preference was only about 1 percent.

“She decided to run for VP with 1 percent, she beat Bongbong Marcos,” the senator said.

“Today, she is anywhere between 6 to 8 percent depending on which survey you look at…If she won with 1 percent at that time, she had a better chance with 6 to 8 percent today,” he added.

Back in June, Robredo said she has yet to decide whether to seek the gubernatorial post in Camarines Sur in 2022, saying she remains “open” to a possible presidential bid.

“That (possible gubernatorial bid) has not been repeated so I assume that is off the table. Insofar as the governorship of Cam Sur is concerned, I don’t hear that it is being considered,” Drilon further said.

/MUF