Robredo will decide on Eleksyon 2022 bid before Oct. 8, spokesman clarifies

Vice President Leni Robredo will decide on Eleksyon 2022 before October 8, the last day of filing of certificate of candidacy, her spokesman clarified on Sunday.

Attorney Barry Gutierrez said this during Robredo's weekly radio program, addressing reports that Brother Armin Luistro, 1Sambayan convenor, allegedly said the Vice President accepted their nomination for her to run as the coalition's standard bearer.

"Naiintindihan naman namin na maraming excited. Maraming nag-aabang. Kaunting hintay na lang. October 8 ang filing at bago mag October 8, ipapaalam niya ang kanyang desisyon," said Gutierrez.

(We understand that many are excited. Many are waiting for this. Just wait. The [last day of] filing is on October 8, and she will notify everyone on her decision before then.)

He also dispelled claims that Robredo will pursue the local post in Camarines Sur after the Vice President transferred her voter's registration from Naga City to Magarao, Camarines Sur.

"Hindi ibig sabihin na tatakbo siya sa CamSur. Klarong klaro ang sinasabi ni VP Leni. At anong mang option na maaaring habulin na may kinalaman sa lokal, kailangan maghintay hangga't 'di pa niya binibigay ng klarong desisyon itong sa nasyonal," he said.

(It does not mean she will run for a local post in Camarines Sur. What she said is very clear. Whatever option she will pursue regarding a local post will have to wait because she has yet to have a clear decision for a national post.)

Opposition coalition 1Sambayan had chosen Robredo as their presidential candidate but Robredo said she is still trying to discern what she should do.

Robredo then asked the public to pray with her about it.

Gutierrez had also said Robredo's running for reelection in 2022 is also an option for her.

Luistro on Sunday clarified that Robredo did not tell him she will run for President. He said he believes Robredo will run for President, according to a report by GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo.

The 1Sambayan convenor also said it is understandable that Robredo will take her time in deciding on her Eleksyon 2022 bid since there have been some surprises in the filing of certificates of candidacy in the past two days.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who earlier accepted the nomination of the PDP-Laban for him to be the party's vice presidential candidate, did not file a COC for the said post. Instead, his longtime aide, Senator Bong Go, filed his COC to run for Vice President on Saturday, under the PDP-Laban ticket, Cusi faction.

As to social media posts circulating saying Robredo may file her COC on October 5, Luistro said the said date may be auspicious for her. 

Robredo unity talks ongoing

On pursuing unity talks, Senator Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, revealed that Robredo held a meeting with Senator Panfilo Lacson, and his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

However, when pressed for comment about the meeting, Drilon told GMA News Online, "No agreement was reached."

"Yes, I confirm a meeting took place with Sen Ping and Sen Tito. I was part of the continuing effort of VP Robredo to unite the opposition," Drilon, also a member of Liberal Party, disclosed in a Viber message on Sunday.

But earlier, Robredo indicated she was not buying Lacson's unification formula -- that contenders with the least number of COCs should withdraw. —KG/LBG, GMA News