Robredo still mulling if 2022 candidacy is best to foil Marcoses’ return to power

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has admitted that she has not made up her mind regarding a possible run for president in 2022 as she is trying to figure out what she can do to avert the Marcoses’ return to Malacañang.

During an interview with Radyo Katipunan, Robredo made it clear that preventing Duterte’s style of governance remains her top concern when deciding whether to run for higher office.

“I have always been very honest kung ano ‘yong proseso ng pagdesisyon na ginagawa ko, as far as the presidency is concerned.  Ako I did not hide naman na ang pinaka-mahalaga sa akin, na hindi makabalik ang mga Marcos, at hindi na tumuloy ‘yong ganitong klaseng pamumuno,” she said.

(I have always been very honest about the process I am doing to decide whether I should run for the presidency.  I did not hide that the most important thing for me is to prevent the return of the Marcoses to Malacañang, and stop this kind of governance.)

“Klaro ‘yon sa akin.  So ako shinare ko na ‘to many times in the past, na kaya ako natatagalan kasi ang path na pinursue ko eh ‘yong unification,” she added.

(That’s clear for me.  So I have shared this so many times in the past, that the reason for my delayed decision is because I pursued the path of unification.)

As Robredo said in the past, the Philippines cannot withstand six more years of Duterte-style governance – suggesting that the upcoming 2022 elections are not about whether she wants to be president but more about preventing a similar administration.

READ: Robredo: PH can no longer stand another six years of Duterte-style governance 

Just recently, on September 19, Robredo said she prefers a one-on-one presidential race with former senator Bongbong Marcos – son of the late dictator and former president Ferdinand Marcos – although there are other factors to consider as well.

Robredo made these remarks shortly after Marcos, who lost to Robredo in the 2016 vice presidential race, expressed confidence that he would win in the May 2022 elections.

READ: ‘Go na go ako dun,’ says Robredo on Marcos’ one-on-one challenge in 2022 polls 

READ: Bongbong Marcos confident of beating Robredo in 2022 election scenario 

Several top candidates have already declared their intention to run for president in 2022, starting with Senator Panfilo Lacson, who was the first, followed by Senator Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and former senator Marcos.

Although Robredo has not made a decision, calls for her to run for president have been growing on social media.  Former lawmaker and activist Neri Colmenares suggests Moreno, Pacquiao, and Colmenares resume talks about creating a single opposition force.

READ: Allies to Leni: Time to decide

READ: Robredo pressed: You need to decide now