Robredo not closing doors on possible presidential bid
MANILA, Philippines — Anything is possible, especially in Philippine politics.
Vice President Leni Robredo has this to say on Wednesday when asked by reporters if she is considering running for president in 2022.
“Lahat naman posible. Lahat posible dahil iyon nga, iyong history pinakita na — ako, hindi ko naman pinlano kahit ano, eh (Everything is possible. History has proven it. I didn’t plan anything),” Robredo said, referring to her election as vice president in 2016.
“Tingin ko kasi iyong presidency, ano iyon, destiny. Kahit anong paghahanda mo, kung hindi iyon para sa iyo, hindi talaga para sa iyo (I think the presidency is destiny. No matter how hard you prepare for it, if it isn’t meant for you, it won’t happen),” she added. “Masyado pang matagal iyong presidential elections (The presidential election is still a long way off).”
However, Robredo who was in her hometown Naga City in Camarines Sur on Wednesday, was reluctant to label her recent provincial trips as preparation for 2022.
She said if she thinks of it that way, then the anti-poverty programs that her office is involved with — particularly the Angat Buhay and Ahon Laylayan projects — would be tainted with politics.
Article continues after this advertisement“Halimbawa sa akin, mayroon kaming anti-poverty program sa Office of the Vice President. Kapag pagkandidato ng 2022 ang aking iniisip, iyong lahat na gagawin ko, pulitika na at masisira iyong programa namin,” Robredo explained.
Article continues after this advertisement(For example, we have anti-poverty programs under the Office of the Vice President. If I think about running in 2022, I’ll think of politics all the time. It’s not good for the program.)
She noted that her focus now is how to help and improve her work.
“Kung after three years na bumuti iyong sitwasyon, bakit hindi? Pero ngayon, useless talaga na paghandaan iyon (If the situation gets better in three years, why not? But for now, it’s useless to think about it),” she noted.
When the campaign for the 2019 midterm elections was on a full swing early this year, political observers hinted a possible face-off between Robredo and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in 2022.
This was due to their high-level involvement with their respective political parties — Robredo’s opposition slate Otso Diretso and Duterte-Carpio’s administration-allied Hugpong ng Pagbabago.
READ: Will 2022 polls see Leni Robredo vs Sara Duterte for president?
READ: Estrada: Inday Sara for president?
Both denied that their campaign caravans have anything to do with their future political plans. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
READ: Sara mum on possible 2022 showdown with Robredo
READ: Robredo on 2022 presidential poll: Thinking about it now is ‘useless’
