MANILA – Former Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo denies she is planning to run for the presidency in 2028 after falling short during the 2022 presidential elections.
According to Robredo, her filing of certificate of candidacy for mayor of Naga City in the 2025 midterm elections is not a springboard for another attempt for presidency in four years.
“Tingin ko magiging unfair para sa (Naga) city if gagamitin ko lang pagiging mayor bilang jumpoff point. Hindi ako magiging effective mayor kung ang iniisip ko lang ay ‘yung 2028,” Robredo said.
“If ever na magkaroon ulit ng opportunity in the future, kailangan naka-base ‘yun sa performance ko as mayor. Hindi dahil pinagplanuhan kong kumandidato ulit sa nasyonal,” she added.
Robredo further said she decided to run for a local position as she already tried in the legislative when she served as Camarines Sur 3rd district representative from 2013 to 2016 and in the executive when she became a Vice President from 2016 to 2022.
“Hindi ko naman ito sinabi na, even before kasi, around June or July this year, nag-decide na talaga ako to run for city mayor dito sa Naga,” the former Vice President said.
“Nasubukan ko na mag-legislative, nasubukan ko na mag-executive. Una, mas mahusay ako sa executive position, pangalawa, talagang passion ko ‘yung community work, at eto ang buod ng pagiging mayor,” Robredo added.
“Sa Senado, iba ang skillset na kailangan. Sigurado ako kasi naging congresswoman na rin ako, mas passionate ako sa executive work, sa local government,” she further said.
Robredo was accompanied by her daughters, Aika and Jillian, and her election lawyer Romulo Macalintal during her filing of COC at the local Commission on Elections office in Naga City on Saturday./PN
