Vice President Leni Robredo once again denied rumors she had decided to run for Camarines Sur governor in 2022, reiterating that she had yet to decide what to do in 2022.

Robredo issued this clarification on Friday, June 4, after former Camarines Sur congressman Rolando Andaya Jr. claimed in media interviews that she has already decided to seek the gubernatorial post.

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The leader of the Philippine opposition maintained she is so far keeping her options open – whether that means running for president, running for Camarines Sur governor, or even taking a break from politics.

“Sa gitna ng maraming haka-haka, uulitin ko lang ang ilang beses ko na ring sinabi: Wala pang desisyon na ako’y tatakbong gobernador. Nananatili akong bukas na maging kandidato sa pagkapangulo,” said Robredo in a Facebook post. 

(In the midst of all these speculations, let me repeat what I have already said: I have no decision yet on whether I would run for governor. I remain open to being a candidate for president.)

“Maraming konsiderasyon ang isinasaalang-alang, pero siguradong magdedesisyon ako sa tamang panahon. Sinisiguro ko sa lahat na ipapaalam ko kung may narating nang desisyon,” added the Vice President. 

(There are a lot of things to consider, but be assured I will make a decision at the right time. I assure everyone that I will let you know once a decision has been reached.)

Andaya and his local allies in Camarines Sur have been egging on Robrerdo to run for governor. Incumbent Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte is the son of Andaya’s bitter rival, Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte.

Andaya is not the first politician to publicly claim that Robredo is supposedly running for governor in 2022. 

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV assumed as much after Robredo signed up for the Philippine Identification System at the registration office in Magarao town – and not in Naga City, where her voter’s registration is.

Trillanes then announced his own bid for the presidency, but said he would give way to Robredo if she would decide to run for president. 

On May 24, Robredo said she was considering a lot of factors regarding her possible presidential bid, including the feasibility of running such a campaign that would require a strong machinery and huge campaign funds. 

Still, the Vice President agreed that the opposition must field only one presidential bet in 2022 if they were to defeat the candidate that President Rodrigo Duterte would endorse.  

Robredo is backing the efforts of the 1Sambayan coalition to unite the opposition.

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‘There should be only one opposition candidate in 2022,’ says Robredo

The Vice President knows the odds are against her. She is chair of the once-ruling Liberal Party (LP), whose numbers have been decimated since President Duterte rose to power in 2016. 

Robredo, as the highest ranking member in the opposition, is a top-of-mind presidential candidate for political pundits. 

She has been widely praised for leading effective, quick, and inclusive coronavirus pandemic response programs despite her office’s measly budget. 

Robredo has also been critical of the Duterte government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis. In turn, the President has hurled sexist insults against her and has belittled her capability to lead. 

Though the Vice President is still uncertain about running for president in 2022, her party mates in LP are recruiting more members across the country to help build a campaign machinery for her. – Rappler.com