VP Robredo on possible 2022 presidential bid: I surrender it to God

Vice President Leni Robredo during the BISErbisyong LENI program on DZXL

MANILA, Philippines — While she remains open and ready to run for president in the 2022 national elections, Vice President Leni Robredo is leaving her decision up to God.

Robredo assured her supporters that she is taking calls for her to gun for the presidency “very, very seriously”, but still stressed her push for a “united opposition.”

“Ready ako tumakbo kung sa assessment ay makakatulong iyon sa misyon natin. Pero ready naman akong hindi tumakbo kung sa tingin ko lalong makakaharang iyon. Lalong makakaharang sa pag-ayos natin ng bansa natin,” Robredo said in an interview on Monday with the Presentation of the Child Jesus Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

(I am ready to run if the assessment is that it will help our mission. But I am also ready to not run if that will intervene with fixing our country.)

“So iyong sa akin, sinurrender ko na talaga sa Diyos kasi sa hirap ng… sa hirap ng negotiations, dumadating iyong mga panahon na hindi ko na talaga alam kung ano iyong sunod na gagawin,” she added.

(So for me, I surrender it to God because with the struggles of negotiations, there comes a time where I do not know what to do next.)

Later in the interview, Robredo said: “Ako, while I’m still exerting a lot of effort, sa akin, total surrender na. Ang parati ko nga lang dasal na sana iyong mensahe ng Panginoon maging very clear para hindi rin tayo magkamali sa ating desisyon.”

(While I am still exerting a lot of effort, for me, I totally surrender it. I always pray that God’s message be very clear so that we won’t make a mistake with our decision.)

Robredo has yet to announce her final plans for the 2022 elections. On several occasions, however, Robredo has expressed her openness to vie for the presidency, if needed.

In the same interview, Robredo expressed hopes that a “united opposition” can still be formed, although she also said she is not blind to the possibility that it may not happen.

I cannot lose hope until there is time. We still have two weeks from today. Our communication channels are open—not with all candidates but with some candidates,” she said in Filipino.

“Having said that, I do not have control over other people’s decisions. I do not have control,” she added.

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