Raise funds for COVID-19 aid, not 2022 elections –Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday encouraged her supporters to raise funds to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and not for her possible 2022 presidential campaign.

While she appreciated the support, Robredo underscored that the middle of a pandemic was not the right time to focus on an election war chest.

“Huwag na muna kasi kung magfau-fund raise tayo, fundraising iyon para sa mga kababayan natin na naghihirap ngayon,” Robredo said in her radio program.

“Para sa akin, Ka Ely, baka hindi tama iyong panahon. Hindi tama iyong panahon na ginagawa natin iyong... alam mo iyon... iyong pagre-raise ng funds na nasa gitna tayo ng matinding krisis,’ she added.

Robredo made the statement after reports that her supporters launched a signature and fund-raising campaign to convince her to run in the 2022 elections.

“Saka na natin— Matagal pa naman iyong eleksyon, next year pa. More than one year pa po bago mag-eleksyon. Kapag malapit-lapit na, saka natin pag-usapan iyon,” she said.

“Pero ngayon, ayaw po muna natin magpa-distract,” she added.

On Thursday, Liberal Party president and Senator Kiko Pangilinan said the political party was considering Robredo as its presidential candidate for the 2022 polls.

Robredo, being the highest-ranked elected official in the LP, serves as the LP chairperson.

Based on the result of a recent Pulse Asia national survey, Robredo ranked sixth among possible top contenders for president in the 2022 national election, with eight percent expressing support for her.  — DVM, GMA News