Leni open to run for president in 2022 but would rather return to local politics

Vice President Leni Robredo said she is open to run for president in the May 2022 elections.

In an interview with GMA News, Robredo, however, said she would rather return to local politics if she could have it her way.

"As of now, okay ako sa kahit ano. Iyong pagpe-president, possible pa rin siya," she said.

Robredo said it would be easier to decide if her resources were sufficient.

“Alam niyo naman wala akong resources. Wala akong—iyong partido namin decimated na, kakaunti na lang kaming natira—mahirap. Mahirap,” she said.

The Vice-president said a lot of things must be prepared before she could consider running for president as it would be difficult.

“Possible pa rin. Iyong sinasabi ko lang, siguro kung sufficient iyong resources ko, mas madaling mag-decide for me,” she said.

“Pero hindi, eh. Alam natin na mahirap iyong… mahirap iyong kalaban kasi iyong lahat na resources nasa kanila,” she added.

Prior to vice president, Robredo was congresswoman of the Third District of Camarines Sur. 

“Mas priority ko ‘yung local… alam kong may obligasyon ako sa national, alam ko na maraming nag hihikayat sa akin. ‘Yung mga kakampi, at least, naghihikayat sa akin mag presidente,” she said.

“So parating ayun pa din ‘yun default. Ang gusto ko sabihin siguro mag de-decide lang ako mag local pag sigurado na ako hindi ako kakandidato sa national,” she added.

Robredo said she may decide by September, just before the October 8 deadline for the filing of the certificate of candidacy for the 2022 elections.

“Earliest na pag-decide September. Just before the filing,” she said.

Some have also urged her eldest daughter, Aika, to enter poltics.

Robredo, however, said her daughter was not interested.

Meanwhile, she asked her supporters to remain open-minded and to put the nation first.

“So para sa akin, iyong hinihiling ko lang sa supporters, iyon, iyong maging bukas. Basta ang parati hindi iyong support lang sa akin pero iyong best interest ng bansa. —Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM, GMA News