Robredo would’ve voted for Pacquiao if she weren’t a candidate in Eleksyon 2022

If she is not running for president in the May 2022 elections, Vice President Leni Robredo will vote for Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Robredo made the response during the Presidential Interviews by award-winning journalist Jessica Soho aired Saturday.

"[Iboboto ko si] Manny Pacquiao, [kasi] kilala ko siya at alam ko na napaka sinsero niyang tao," Robredo said.

(I will vote for Manny Pacquiao because I know him and I know he is a very sincere person.)

Robredo tried to form a united opposition ticket with Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno last year, but talks did not prosper since the three of them eventually decided to pursue the presidency. 

Robredo said that while she was initially frustrated that her unity talks did not work out, she said that such setback turned out to be temporary since she was able to unite non-politicians behind her presidential bid.

"Aaminin ko sa iyo Jessica, frustrated ako na hindi nangyari, frustrated ako kasi iniisip ko ito sana ang best chance to unite under one  candidate, pero kung hindi siya nangyari at ultimately kumandidato ako, ang daming nangyari after that na maraming mga sumali sa aming  grupo na hindi naman kasali sa aming partido," she said.

(I admit that I was frustrated since I was thinking it was our best chance to unite under one candidate, but it did not happen and eventually, I decided to run. A lot of things have since happened, and there have been a lot of groups that expressed support outside of our [political party].)

"Kahit hindi ko siguro na-unite yung mga presidential contenders, ang naging successful tayo in uniting so many different groups na non-politicians at ito ay nagbibigay sa atin ng inspirasyon kahit yung mga politicians na kabahagi natin sa kampanya ngayon, iba ibang partido din ang pinanggalingan," she added.

(While I was not able to unite presidential contenders, I was successful in uniting so many different groups of non-politicians who inspire me and are part of our campaign now.)

Likewise, Robredo expressed confidence that she can make history by being the first independent candidate to win the presidency in the May elections. 

"Ako there is always a first time. ‘Yun sa akin...tingin ko nga baka fresh start ito para sa bansa natin, na ‘yung uupo na presidente ay hindi lang nanggaling sa isang partido, pero presidenteng bukas sa kahit na anong partido," Robredo said.

(For me, there is always a first time. I see this as a fresh start for our country, that the sitting president will not be coming from one political party, but a president who will hear out all political parties.)

"Kaya ito Jessica ano to maraming firsts na nangyayari ngayon, pero ang mensaheng gusto natin iconvey, na bukas tayo para sa lahat na pakinggan lahat, kahit hindi ka partido," she added.

(There are a lot of firsts, but the message we want to convey is we are inclusive, we will hear you out, regardless of political party.)

Robredo said that her policy has always been inclusive when it comes to finding solutions to problems at hand.

"Sa lahat ng eleksyon na pinasukan ko, na pagkatapos ng kampanya, tapos na ang pulitika, trabaho na, kabahagi na yung lahat, papakinggan niyo na ang lahat," she said.

(In all of the elections I have participated...once the campaign is over, the politics is over. Let us get to work, everybody is a part of it, people will be heard.) — RSJ, GMA News