Robredo not giving up on a united opposition ticket; denies she is scared to run

Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday that she remained committed to forming a united opposition ticket to defeat the Duterte administration bets in the 2022 polls, saying that what should happen would happen.

Robredo issued the statement as her supporters urged her to pursue a 2022 presidential bid given that Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao had declared their respective 2022 presidential bids.

"Maraming salamat sa inyo. Naririnig ko kayo, nakikita ko ang nakikita ninyo, at karamay ako sa frustrations, pati sa pangarap ninyo para sa bansa. Magtiwala kayo. Pagdating sa usapin ng halalan, isa lang ang nasa isip ko: siguruhin na mawawakasan ang uri ng pamumunong ugat ng pagdurusa, paghihirap, at pagkamatay ng napakarami sa atin," Robredo said.

(I thank you, I hear you, I see you, I share your frustrations and dreams for our country. When it comes to elections, I only have one thing in mind: to end a governance rooted in suffering, poverty, and death)

"Kailangang kausapin ang lahat ng dapat kausapin, magnilay at magdasal nang husto, at i-exhaust ang lahat ng possible avenues to present the best chances for better governance come 2022. Mulat ako sa mga deadline; umuusad ang panahon; sa huli, mangyayari ang dapat mangyari," she added.

(We need to talk to a lot of people, think long and hard, pray, exhaust all avenues. I am aware of the deadline, time is passing by. At the end of the day, what should happen will happen.)

Robredo then said she was not the faint-hearted type even if the odds are stacked against her.

"Naririnig ko rin ‘yung sinasabi ng iba. Kesyo pagod na raw ako. Natatakot daw akong matalo. Kinakabahan daw ako na dehado tayo sa resources at makinarya, na baka hindi natin kayanin ang kampanya. Tanungin ko nga kayo ngayon: Mukha ba akong pagod? Mukha ba akong natatakot? Mukha ba akong kinakabahan?" she asked.

(They are those who say I am tired, that I am scared. That I am nervous because I do not have the resources and machinery, that we cannot mount a campaign. I ask you now, do I look tired? Do I look nervous?)

"Muli, salamat sa pag-unawa, salamat sa encouragement, salamat sa tiwala, at salamat sa pagmamahal sa ating bansa," she added.

(Again, I thank you for understanding, trust, and love for our country.)

The filing of candidacies was scheduled from October 1 to 8. — DVM, GMA News