Leni Robredo says no ‘informal’ consent yet to run as Roxas’ VP

(Updated 10:03 p.m.) Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo on Wednesday denied that she has given her informal consent to be the running mate of Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas in the 2016 elections.

In a chance interview at the National Food Coalition Conference in UP Diliman, Robredo told GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo that she has yet to decide on whether or not to accept LP's offer for her to be Roxas' running mate.

"Walang ganun kasi kung may consent ako dapat sana nag-declare na [ako]," she said when asked to confirm House Speaker Sonny Belmonte's statement to reporters during the LP national convention in Quezon City that she has "more or less given her consent informally" to run alongside Roxas.

Sought for comment following Robredo's denial, Belmonte said, "Well, if that is so, that would be a problem for LP."

The widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo did not elaborate on what is holding her from making the decision. She instead asked for understanding, both from the public and from the ruling party.

"Humihingi lang ako ng paumanhin sa inyong lahat na wala pa akong maipahayag ngayon kasi nasa proseso pa kami ng... pinoproseso pa 'yung pamilya. In fact, ito 'yung hiningi ko rin sa partido na bigyan ako ng pagkakataon," Robredo said.

"Mabigat kasi siya, hindi siya madaling pagdesisyonan. Nandoon kami sa proseso ng papunta sa anuman ang magiging desisyon. 'Yun na lang muna siguro as of now," she added.

Robredo was absent during the LP's national convention. Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, the party's vice chairman for political affairs, said he thinks Robredo is still in a "discernment process."

The party formally selected Roxas as its presidential candidate during the meeting at its headquarters in Cubao. No one was nominated for vice president. The formal announcement of the administration ticket is set on Monday.

Concern for district

Meanwhile, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, LP chairman in the province, believes that more than her family, Robredo is more concerned on what will happen to her district if she runs for vice president in 2016.

"Kasi pag ginive up niya 'yan talagang at risk yung kanyang distrito na bumalik sa Villafuerte. Praktikal lang 'yun,” Salceda told reporters at the LP convention.

"I don’t think it’s the kids. It’s about her duty to her husband to keep Naga and the second district safe," he added.

In 2013, Robredo challenged the Villafuerte dynasty by seeking a congressional seat in the 3rd district of Camarines Sur. She won the elections against Nelly Villafuerte, wife of then-incumbent Rep. Luis Villafuerto Sr.

Robredo earlier told Solita Monsod on GMA News TV's "Bawal ang Pasaway kay Mareng Winnie” that she would not have run if the opponents were not the Villafuertes.

"Kung hindi sila ang kalaban, siguro hindi ako tumakbo," she said.

Salceda, like many LP members, is also optimistic that Robredo will eventually agree to become Roxas' running mate.

"I don’t expect her to turn it down," he said, referring to LP's offer. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino, Amita Legaspi and Xianne Arcangel/KBK/RSJ, GMA News