Leni Robredo considering senatorial candidacy

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo said she is unlikely to run as Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas' vice-presidential candidate even as she expressed hope that Senator Grace Poe would consider running under the Liberal Party (LP) banner as Roxas' running mate.

"Para sa akin, malayo siya ngayon. Malayo siya kasi hindi pa naman nauupuan at napag-uusapan so hindi ko pa talaga iniisip sa ngayon," Robredo, the widow of the late Interior Sec. Jesse Robredo, told reporters at the sidelines of Aquino's endorsement of Roxas held at the Club Filipino.

While she seemed to decline the idea of running for the vice presidency, Robredo said she is "seriously considering" running for the Senate with the LP slate.

"Kung palagay ko, I can leave my district in good hands; titingnan ko din ang winnability ko kasi sa last survey mababa pa ako sa awareness level. Parang mahirap naman na pinilt ko yung sarili ko," said Robredo, the widow of the former longtime Naga City Mayor and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Robredo said she hopes the "continuing talks" between the LP and Poe will result in the senator running alongside the LP standard-bearer in time before the filing of certificates of candidacy in October.

"Ako kasi gusto ko may isang administration ticket kasi bakit naman maghihiwa-hiwalay pa? Pareho lang naman ang sinusulong," Robredo said.

Aquino tried to convince Poe to run under the LP ticket as Roxas' vice-presidential candidate, but Poe said she prefers to run as an independent if she will pursue a higher position next year.

"Kahit sino makatandem ni Sec. Mar na magiging katrabaho niya ng maayos kasi yun ang mahalaga, yung tandem na nagkakasundo para ipagpatuloy ang tuwid na daan," Robredo said.
 -NB, GMA News