VP Robredo rules out Senate run in Eleksyon 2022

Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday ruled out a Senate run in the May 2022 polls.

"I am not (running for Senate)," Robredo, a lawyer, said in an ANC interview.

"Hindi iyon ang aking strength (I don't think that being a senator is my strength)," she added.

Robredo earlier said she is considering a 2022 presidential run if she will be the choice of the broadest coalition against the administration.

The Vice President, however, has said that she is also willing to cede and instead back other candidates if the coalition building efforts would yield majority support for another candidate instead of her.

She said that she is willing to support Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for president and Senator Manny Pacquiao for vice president in the May 2022 polls if they will be the choice of the opposition coalition.

"Very important 'yung 2022 election. Kasi 'yung danger na ma-propagate into power 'yung mga nakaupo, 'yung danger na babalik 'yung another Marcos nandiyan (The 2022 polls is very important because the danger of propagating those in power is there, the return of a Marcos is there)," she said, referring to the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and former senator Bongbong Marcos, whom Robredo defeated in 2016.

"I don't take it lightly. 'Yung titingnan natin saan ba tayo mapapabuti lahat. Di tayo puwedeng magkamaling mag-decide (We should look at the greater good. We cannot afford to make a wrong decision)," she added.

Robredo, however, clarified that if ever she will not seek the presidency in 2022, it does not mean that she will leave politics for good.

"I can run for a local position, or I can help the next administration if I do not run for president," she added.

Robredo has met with Senators Richard Gordon, Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao on the possibility of forming a coalition in the 2022 polls, and she said another meeting is expected.

Lacson earlier said that Robredo resisted his unification 'formula' and plans to come up with a “common candidate” against the administration. He thought it indicates that the latter is seriously considering running for president.

Robredo, who is 56 years old, won her two previous poll bids for Camarines Sur lawmaker in 2013 and Vice President in 2016 as an administration candidate under the then ruling Liberal Party.—AOL, GMA News