Robredo still hopeful about forming unity ticket before October 8 deadline

Vice President Leni Robredo during her 2021 Ulat sa Bayan. Screengrab from OVP

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo is not giving up on creating a united ticket for the opposition before October 8 — the final day for the filing of certificates of candidacy — as she continues talking with other sectors.

Robredo said on the sidelines of her office’s Vaccine Express initiative with the local government of San Fernando, Pampanga that forming an alliance has not been easy given that it would ultimately entail one of the perceived presidential candidates for 2022 to step back from their presidential ambitions.

So far, Robredo has talked to Senators Panfilo Lacson, Richard Gordon, Manny Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. However, no clear plan has been established.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin iyong effort na magkaroon ng, sana unity ticket before October 8. Iyong inaasahan—hindi naman natin inaasahan na iyong negotiations magiging madali,” Robredo told reporters on Friday.

(Efforts to have a unity ticket, hopefully before October 8, are still continuing.  We are not expecting the negotiations to be easy though.)

“Siyempre nanggagaling kasi sa iba’t ibang mga kampo na may kaniya-kaniyang supporters. Siyempre kung ang isasaalang-alang iyong supporters namin, iyong supporters namin gusto kami iyong kandidato. So maraming mga gusot na inaasikaso pero hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa,” she added.

(Of course we would be coming from different camps with different supporters.  Of course we are also considering our supporters, because our supporters want us to be the leading candidate. So there are some things that need to be ironed out, but I am not losing hope.)

The Vice President also admitted that whatever alliance they may create would not be perfect as they come from different backgrounds.  But with the future of the country at stake, she hopes people can decide on what would be the best interest of the country.

“Hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa na ang papairalin ng lahat, pagmamahal sa bayan. Ako, naiintindihan ko naman iyong iba’t ibang mga concerns. Siyempre hindi natin mapeperpekto kasi iyon nga, hindi kami galing sa iisang partido, iba-iba iyong grupo na nire-represent namin,” she explained.

(I am not losing hope that everyone would just let love for the country prevail.  Me, I understand the different concerns. Of course we cannot perfect that alliance because as said before, we do not come from a single party, we represent different groups.)

“Pero iyong pinagdadasal ko lang talaga araw-araw na ultimately, iyong magpapadesisyon sa lahat, kung ano iyong best interest ng bansa natin,” she added.

(But what I am praying for everyday is that ultimately, the decision of everyone would be to the best interest of the country.)

Robredo is one of the candidates believed to be making a serious bid for the 2022 polls, although she has said in the past that she is willing to consider a wide array of options — running for president, for a local post, or retiring from politics.

Previously, she said that she would be willing to back a Moreno-Pacquiao tandem if it will bring an end to the current regime, and be able to beat the candidate anointed by the administration.

She was also rumored to be pursuing a local post, especially after a local party pledged to support her if she guns for Camarines Sur’s gubernatorial seat.

Robredo set a self-imposed deadline for her declaration, which would be at the end of September.  However, she has not made any announcement, with her raising the possibility of making a decision early into October.

EDV