FILE – Vice President Leni Robredo talks to media in an interview. (Photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo said she is prepared to face backlash if she drops out of the presidential race in 2022, but only if particular demands are met and would be the best thing for the country.
In an interview with Radyo Katipunan on Friday, Robredo said that she expects widespread scrutiny from those who want her to run. However, it is not a big concern if backing out will mean putting an end to tyrannical leadership practices.
“Ito makaka-attest ‘yong mga kausap ko, parati ko nang sinabing sinasabi na kapag nag-give way ako sigurado ako na mumurahin ako ng ibang tao, siguradong ‘yong ibang supporters ko magagalit sa akin,” she said.
(This one, people I’ve talked to can attest to this recently. I have always said that if I gave way, I am sure that other people would badmouth me, even my supporters would be mad at me.)
“Siguradong maraming magtatampo, sasama ‘yong loob, pero ‘yong para sa akin ready nga akong i-take ‘yon lahat,” she added.
(Surely, a lot would be disappointed, some would be holding grudges, but I am ready to take in all of that.)
Robredo mentioned during the early part of the interview that her primary consideration has been to prevent the return of the Marcoses to Malacañang and to stop another possible President Rodrigo Duterte-style of governance.
While running for president may make her supporters happy, it would be pointless if the Marcoses or the Dutertes returned to power.
“Ready akong i-take ‘yon lahat kung sa paniniwala ko ‘yon ‘yong makakabuti sa bansa natin […] kasi at the end of the day, tumakbo ako, masaya ‘yong supporters ko, pero kung iba ‘yong mananalo sa May, at pagtitiisan natin ng another six years? Alin ba ‘yong mas matimbang?” she asked.
(I am ready to take in all of that if, in my belief, that would be the best for our country. Because at the end of the day, would it be okay if I run and make my supporters happy, but other parties would win in May and we would suffer through another six years? What is more important?)
“So sa akin kung magaglit sa akin, personal ‘yon eh, titiisin ko na lang. Basta nangyari, basta hindi nakalusot ‘yong kinakatakutan nating maka-lusot,” she added, in an apparent reference to former senator Bongbong Marcos and Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
(For me, even if they get mad at me, it’s personal, so I’ll put up with it as long as those we don’t want in power do not win.)
Earlier, Robredo said that the Philippines could not endure six more years of Duterte-style governance. The 2022 presidential election needs to focus more on what needs to be done to prevent a similar regime to Duterte’s, she added.
READ: Robredo: PH can no longer stand another six years of Duterte-style governance
Robredo said on September 19 that, in a presidential election, she favors a direct contest with former senator Bongbong Marcos – son of the late dictator and former president Ferdinand Marcos – although there are other factors to be considered.
Robredo’s statements came after Marcos — who lost to Robredo in the 2016 vice presidential race — expressed confidence about winning should they face 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
As of Friday, most of the frontrunners for the 2022 presidential race have declared their intention to run, starting with Senator Panfilo Lacson who was the first to declare, followed by Senator Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and then earlier, former senator Marcos.
Robredo has yet to announce her next political plans, but calls for her to run as president in 2022 have been mounting on social media. There are also suggestions from activist and former lawmaker Neri Colmenares, that she, Moreno, and Pacquiao should resume discussions to formulate a single opposition force.
READ: Allies to Leni: Time to decide
READ: Robredo pressed: You need to decide now