Robredo won’t seek presidency in case she wins VP post

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo plans to come out with a public document stating her vow not to seek the presidency if ever she wins as vice president to prove she has no plans of seeking a higher post.

If she were to have her way, Robredo said she is wishing there would be a document stating that an incumbent vice president will not run for president in the next elections.

“Sana magkaroon kahit ng kasulatan na 'yung vice president, hindi tatakbo bilang pangulo,” she told GMA News and dzBB anchor Mike Enriquez in an interview Monday.

While Robredo acknowledged that aspiring for a higher office is a natural ambition for any politician, she said there is always a possibility that the vice president could be tempted to use the powers of his office to promote himself as a presidential candidate for the next presidential elections.

“Napakalaking temptation kasi ng posisyon na kung gusto mong tumakbo bilang pangulo na 'yung buong anim na taon mo [bilang bise presidente], gagamitin mo na sa pamumulitika. Sa akin, sayang kung ‘yun ang driving force mo sa pag-iikot,” she said.

Robredo, who is running under the Liberal Party, said she believes being devoid of any political ambition is a way to make the best out of the power that comes with becoming the vice president.

“Handang-handa akong gumawa ng kasulatan na hindi ako tatakbo sa pagkapangulo kung ako ang palarin [na maging bise presidente] para ma-maximize 'yung posisyon,” she said.

Following the radio interview, Robredo clarified that she is not referring to any politician in particular when she said that a vice president could use his office for politicking.

“Without reference naman [‘yung sinabi ko] sa kahit kanino. 'Yung sinasabi ko lang, 'yung vice presidency kasi is a step away from the presidency. So talagang 'yung temptation na mag-ambisyon, natural 'yun. 'Di siya masama. Pero para lang mas maging pure 'yung paggawa mo ng trabaho mo as vice presidente, mas mabuting klaro na ginagawa mo ang ginagawa mo dahil kailangan,” she said.

The incumbent Vice President, Jejomar Binay, is running for president against Robredo’s running mate, administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Regardless of who wins as president, Robredo said she will give the “same commitment, passion and diligence” as vice president.

Should she win the May elections, however, the lawmaker said she is bent on maintaining the simple lifestyle she has maintained through the years. This means she will still continue her habit of riding provincial buses.

“Siguro magkakaroon lang ng compromise na magkakaroon ako ng isa pang kasama pero nasa amin naman ‘yun na mga public officials. 'Yung asawa ko (late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo) naging kalihim din pero naging matigas ang ulo para siguraduhin na ma-maintain niya kung sino siya bago siya pumasok sa pulitika,” she said.

Robredo said she wants to spend more time in the provinces so she could push for rural development.

Aside from Robredo, five senators are running for vice president: Chiz Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Bongbong Marcos, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Gringo Honasan.

As for those running for president, eight made it to the shortlist announced by the Commission on Elections on January 22: Vice President Jejomar Binay; Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago; Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte; Senator Grace Poe; former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas; Rommel Mendoza and Dante Valencia.

Mendoza is the standard bearer of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), the party of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. 

On Monday, Mendoza announced that he was withdrawing from the presidential race and will instead be supporting the candidacy of Binay.

— with Veronica Pulumbarit/RSJ/KG, GMA News