Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, said she will not run in the 2028 national elections, as she plans to seek another term as the city's top local government executive.
"I am sure for myself that I won't [take part] in the national [elections]," Robredo said in Bicolano language during an interview with local radio station 91.1 DWNX FM.
"Probably for me, I would seek a second term [as Naga mayor]," said Robredo, a key opposition leader who served as the country's vice president from 2016 to 2022.
In a report on GMA News Online, Robredo said she is considering another term as Naga City mayor since she still has a lot of work to accomplish.
"I am aware that there are people who want me to run [for a national post]. 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 [position]," Robredo said.
To recall, Senator Bam Aquino acknowledged calls for Robredo to run again for a national post in the 2028 elections, following the recent gathering of key opposition figures, including him, Robredo, Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila De Lima, Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno, former senator Franklin Drilon, and former Budget secretary Butch Abad.
Asked whether there would be a united opposition for the 2028 elections, Aquino said everyone should work together not only for the next elections but also in addressing the country's current issues.
Robredo ran for the presidency in the 2022 elections, with Pangilinan as her running mate.
They both lost to the ticket of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, whose relations have since become frosty.
Talks of a possible alliance between Robredo and Marcos also emerged after news of their scheduled meeting in February, but the Naga City mayor said the President would not raise political matters during the meeting.
Malacañang has also called for a stop to the political noise.
"Huwag munang gumawa ng imahinasyon. Mag-focus sa kanyang-kanyang trabaho para hindi maligaw sa tamang mithiin… Tumigil muna ang lahat sa pamumulitika," said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Attorney Claire Castro.
(Do not get carried away by the imagination. Focus on each person's work so we don't get distracted from the objective… Everybody, stop politicking.)
The Leni-Erwin Tulfo tandem was also floated by a political analyst in a television interview, saying that it might be an ideal pairing that could run against Duterte, who has already announced her bid for the presidency in 2028.
However, Tulfo said that he and his family no longer want to engage in the political chaos.
"Nakakataba po ng puso pero I don't have plans eh. Whatever it is, 'yun lang makakatalo kay…kahit sino pa man diyan, I would say thank you, pero I'm kinda tired. Hindi pa nga tapos 'yung 2025, last year, nakita ninyo naman, kaliwa't kanan ang batikos, demanda sa Comelec (Commission on Elections), left and right," Erwin told Senate reporters.
(It's flattering, but I don't have plans. I would say thank you, but I'm kinda tired. The issues in the 2025 elections are not even over yet. You saw the criticisms and the lawsuits filed against me before the Comelec left and right.)
(with reports from MARIEL CELINE SERQUIÑA, GMA News)
