Robredo more interested in Senate than VP post

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo on Tuesday said she was seriously considering running for the Senate instead of vice presidency.

Speaking before reporters at the sidelines of an event for Liberal Party standard-bearer Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Robredo said the reports that she was being eyed for the position came from “out of the blue.”

“Kahit informal na usap-usapan wala talaga,” she said when asked if President Benigno Aquino III had approached her. “Parang it came out in the media tapos naging biru-biruan among party mates. Pero kung inupuan para i-discuss wala talaga.”

She said her plans for now is to run for reelection in Camarines Sur or to run for the Senate.

“I’m seriously considering a Senate run,” said Robredo, who was catapulted into the national spotlight following the death of her husband, former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, in 2012.

However, she said she still had to consider other things, including the state of affairs in her district and her “winnability.”

“Winnability din. ‘Yung mga survey na lumalabas parang ‘yung awareness level ko mababa pa. So hindi ko naman ipipilit kung alangan,” she said.

Robredo, who at one point was spotted sitting beside Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, said, “Actually nagbibiruan kami ni Governor Vi. Sabi ko sya na lang.”

Robredo and Santos’ names are among those mentioned in the media as possible Liberal Party contenders for the vice presidency.

But Robredo said such discussions had been coming from outside the party.

She said she was surprised herself.

“Parang hindi pa talaga sya option,” she said.

The congresswoman added that LP was still hopeful the talks between Roxas and Sen. Grace Poe, who had been leading the electoral surveys, would be “fruitful.”

“Para isa lang na coalition ticket ‘yung tatakbo. Parang ngayon yung direksyon ganun—umaasa na magkakasundo,” she said.

She said those who wanted to pursue the straight path should work together and not consider each other a political rival.

“Pareho lang naman na adhikain ang ipinaglalaban,” Robredo said.

She said the only time she would think of running for vice president would be if she was considered “indispensable.”

“Siguro kung indispensable ako. Pero ngayon kasi hindi ko naman ‘yun nakikita. Ngayon kasi marami pa namang ibang pwede. Maraming mas qualified. Maraming pwedeng pagpilian. Wala naman tayong monopoly ng good intentions,” she said.