Robredo: Stop looking for ‘savior’ in PH politics

After disclosing that she is no longer interested in seeking a national post, former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo urged the public to stop looking for a “savior” figure in politics.

In an interview with Asintado News, Robredo explained that there is no “monopoly” when it comes to what potential leaders can do. 

“Ako sa tingin ko dapat, alisin yung mentality na may isang savior. Dahil wala namang ganyan. Wala namang monopoly ng kakayahan,” she said in an interview with Asintado sa Radyo.

(For me, I think we should get rid of the mentality that there is a single savior. Because that doesn’t exist. No one has a monopoly on capability.)  

Robredo said she has her limitations and that she thinks she is more suitable leading a local government unit (LGU). 

“Ako kasi nakita ko na yung limitations ko, parang mas bagay talaga ako sa local. Mahina ako sa politika. Ako sa trabaho, marami akong hindi alam pero masipag ako. Pwede sa local, pwede sa national. Marami talaga akong hindi kayang gawin,” she said. 

(I saw my limitations, I think I’m better suited to local posts. I am weak at politics. When it comes to work, there’s a lot that I don’t know, but I work hard. I can do local or national, but there’s a lot of things that I cannot do.)

Robredo tried her luck during the 2022 presidential elections where she ranked second to now President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

Despite clamors for her to run for a national position in the past 2025 midterm elections, Robredo said she never considered gunning for a Senate seat.

Instead, she made up her mind to run as Naga’s top leader as early as June or July 2024 to focus on community work. 

Asked if she has anyone in mind who could potentially lead at the national level, Robredo named several individuals. 

“Marami ang pwede. Sa grupo namin, si Risa (Hontiveros), ilang beses na nagsabi na okay siya. Si Bam (Aquino) saka si Kiko (Pangilinan), pwede naman. Although nagsabi na sila na ayaw nila,” she said.  

(There are many who are capable. In our group, Risa Hontiveros has said several times that she is okay with it. Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan are also capable. Although they have already said they don’t want to.) 

She also mentioned Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte as potential leaders of the country. 

“Sa tingin ko si Vico would make a good President, ang ano lang talaga ay edad,” she added.  

(I think Vico would make a good President, the only problem really is his age.) 

“Ang isa pang nakikita ko na mayor na would make a good President ay si Joy Belmonte. Maraming pwede.” 

(Another mayor I see who would make a good President is Joy Belmonte. There are many who are capable.) 

Previously, Robredo said she is considering another term as Naga City mayor as she still has a lot of work to accomplish. 

“I am aware that there are people who want me to run. I am not the only one who has the capacity to lead. In fact, I’ve been thinking, who am I? But today, it’s not in my horizon to return to national,” Robredo said. — JMA, GMA News