MANILA, Philippines — Despite discussions with other potential candidates failing in the past, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Friday that she remains open to possible discussions with other camps including that of labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman.
Robredo during the presentation of her labor agenda was asked whether she is open to talking a possible plans for the 2022 polls with fellow presidential aspirant De Guzman and his running mate, former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello.
The Vice President stressed that they actually have not stopped talking to groups to amass a wide support for the upcoming elections.
“Ako, hindi naman — kami, hindi naman kami huminto. Hindi kami huminto sa pakikipag-usap sa napakaraming grupo. In fact, every day ‘yun yung ginagawa namin kahit nung hindi pa ako kandidato hanggang ngayon,” Robredo said.
“Ito, ang pakikipag-usap na ‘to hindi lang pakikipag-usap sa mga grupong kapareho namin ng paniniwala, pero kahit sa mga grupong iba sa amin ‘yung paniniwala, sa attempt na maghanap ng mga commonalities,” she added.
Robredo said that while there may be difference between her camp and other groups, she said that it might be possible to unite based on commonalities.
“Parati ko naman itong inuulit na despite the differences, siguradong merong mga pagkakapareho sa paniniwala na ‘yun ‘yung pwedeng pag-ugatan ng aming relationship. So kami tuloy-tuloy lang, bukas kami kahit kanino,” she added.
Last Wednesday, De Guzman maintained that he and Bello would not back down from the 2022 elections, as they hope to give the working masses a voice in government.
However, he also said that they are willing to sit down and talk with groups who seek to resolve the crisis faced by the country, and who are willing to end the possible return of the Marcoses and Dutertes to power.
De Guzman was referring to the tandem of former senator Bongbong Marcos and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, children of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, respectively.
Prior to announcing her presidential bid, Robredo said that one of the things she was weighing out whether or not she should run for president is if her possible candidacy would help take down the Marcoses and prevent another Duterte-like government.
Also, before she filed her certificate of candidacy, Robredo also tried to talk with candidates perceived to be with the opposition, but all of the officials — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao — all decided to make their own presidential run.