Robredo says she is still open for Eleksyon 2022 presidential bid

Vice President Leni Robredo said Tuesday she remains open to seeking the presidency in the May 2022 elections and is not endorsing anybody for the said post.

Robredo issued the statement a day after she said that she will be willing to support Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for president in 2022 if the latter will be backed by the broadest coalition against the Duterte administration.

"Yes, if that will be the result of the discussions of the broadest coalition that we can form. Bukas ako sa kahit anong (I am open to anything that) will stop this kind of governance already," Robredo was quoted as saying in a televistion interview when asked if is she is willing to support an Isko-Pacquiao tandem.

"The question is, who among us has the ability to form the broadest coalition. 'Yung unity sa 2022 is crucial to moving forward. Di kaya na like-minded lang na mga tao ang nag-uusap (Unity is very crucial here, we cannot afford to limit ourselves to talking to like-minded individuals)," she added.

But on Tuesday, Robredo clarified: "Nililinaw ko lang, wala pang desisyon at wala akong inendorso. Nananatili akong bukas sa pagtakbo kung iyon ang ikabubuti ng ating bayan (I want to clarify that I am yet to decide on 2022 elections and I am yet to endorse anybody)." 

Robredo said she was just stressing of the need to replace the current administration by electing different leaders in May 2022.

"Malinaw ang layunin ng lahat ng naniniwala sa makatao at maayos na pamamahala: ang palitan ang kasalukuyang kalakaran (The goal is clear for those who believe in humane and good governance: to replace the existing system)," she said.

"Kailangan tayong handang makiisa at magkaisa para sa layuning ito para makamit ang tagumpay (We need to be ready to work together and stand united with outlr goal to win this)," she added.

Meanwhile, Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan maintained that Robredo still has to decide on her 2022 political plans and has not endorsed anybody.

"The imperative is clear: To reverse the trajectory of death and suffering of the last five years, na lalong lumala nitong huling isa’t kalahating taon ng pandemya. Si VP Leni ang namumuno sa anumang effort na matupad ang layuning ito. In actively meeting and reaching out to other political personalities in the last few weeks, she is, in fact, the only person among the field of possible candidates exhibiting the unifying leadership needed in such challenging times," Pangilinan said in a statement.

"Patuloy ang ating pag-oorganisa, pagpapatibay ng hanay, at pagbabahagi ng mensahe: Na kay VP Leni ang ating tiwala at buong suporta. In her life as a public servant, we have always seen her exhibit strategic resolve and an abiding sense of duty. I have absolutely no doubt that, as she has countless times in the past, VP Leni will choose the nation’s interest above her own," he added.

Robredo is chairperson of the former ruling party.

At least 200 groups from the ranks of urban poor, teachers, labor leaders, LGBT, among others, have called on Robredo to run for president in 2022.

Robredo has said she is grateful for the support and considers these calls in her thought process in considering a 2022 presidential bid. — RSJ, GMA News