With bets still to file their COCs, Robredo still hopeful of forming a unity ticket

(FILE) Vice President Leni Robredo gestures during her report on the drug war during the media conference at the Office of the Vice President in Quezon City on Monday, January 6, 2020. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday said she remains hopeful of forming a unity ticket with aspirants who have declared their bids to run for president in next year’s polls, saying that they have yet to file their certificates of candidacy.

Robredo, who has yet to declare her plans for the 2022 polls, has admitted to having initiated talks with presidential candidates Senators Manny Pacquiao, Panfilo Lacson, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

“Ano kasi, despite the declarations, hindi pa rin ako nawawalan ng pag-asa kasi hindi pa naman sila nagfa-file,” Robredo told reporters during the launch of vaccine express in Magalang, Pampanga.

(Despite the declarations, I am still hopeful because they have yet to file their certificates of candidacies.)

“So sa akin, while hindi ko mare-reveal iyong detalye ng efforts, ang masasabi ko lang, ako patuloy pa rin akong nag-i-initiate. Patuloy pa akong nag-i-initiate ng talks with the parties involved kasi tingin ko, iyon iyong kailangan, na magkaroon sana ng unity ticket kasi alam naman natin kung ano iyong hinaharap natin ngayon,” she added.

(So for me, while I could not reveal the details of our efforts, I will still continue to initiate talks with the parties involved because I think that’s what we need, to have a unity ticket because we know what we are facing.)

Robredo reiterated that a unity ticket must be formed to “stop this kind of governance” as well as to prevent the return of a Marcos to power.

“Ang hangarin ng lahat mahinto na iyong ganitong klaseng governance, hindi makabalik iyong mga Marcos, pare-pareho naman kami, eh,” she added.

(The goal of everyone is to stop this kind of governance and to prevent the return of Marcos to power, our goals are the same.)

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