Robredo running for VP again or Camarines Sur governor? More groups back Isko

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

QUEZON CITY – Is Vice President Maria Leonor Leni Robredo foregoing her presidential ambition by sliding to Vice President just to be able to marshall a united opposition front against the administration in the coming elections?

Senator Francis Pangilinan gave the hint after Robredo held a meeting with key leaders of the Liberal Party (LP) where she sits as chairperson.

Another speculation emerged that Robredo may run for governor of Camarines Sur. This speculation was bolstered by her transfer of voting precinct from Naga City which is independent and does not vote for governor of Camarines Sur to another town of the province.

This as Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso continue to gain groups of supporters as 23 Luzon leaders joined his Aksyon Demokratiko party.

As this developed, Domagoso’s chief of staff said his the mayor would emerge as the winner in a four-way presidential race if the elections were held today while former Vice President Noli de Castro, Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, Carl Balita, Gov. Francis Escudero appeared to be joining Domagoso’s senatorial ticket.

Citing the latest result of a Pulse Asia survey, Cesar Chavez asserted that the Manila City mayor would have 30 percent of the votes if the final set of presidential candidates in the 2022 polls would just be Moreno, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and Senators Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson.

Moreno slightly edged Duterte-Carpio, who came in a close second with 29 percent, according to the Pulse Asia data.

Pacquiao and Lacson garnered 18 percent and 13 percent, based on the survey, said Cesar Chavez.

Robredo, according to LP President Senator Francis Pangilinan, remains in a quandary on whether to run for President or vice president, given the enormous responsibility that comes with it.

Meanwhile, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV threatened to file his certificate of candidacy for president if Robredo will not run for president during the filing period from October 1 to 8.

“She’s in deep discernment and we are giving her scenarios. And she’s weighing everything. And she also said, she’s seeking the understanding and the patience of her supporters,” Pangilinan said during a virtual interview with journalists as ABS-CBN reported.

Pangilinan said while Robredo has not decided on her plans, their party will continue to hold “unity talks” with the group of Senator Manny Pacquiao and other groups that are eyeing to defeat the administration candidates in the 2022 polls.

Pangilinan, one of the party’s senatorial candidates said, part of being discussed is the possibility of Robredo, or the other aspirants, running for vice president.

“Napag-usapan kasi that’s part of the unity talks. Hindi naman kasi pwedeng tatlong sabay-sabay na tatakbo. Kailangan may mag-give way. That’s part of the discussions in the unity talks… If that is something that will unite everyone, why not. She’s open to the discussion,” Pangilinan said.

Robredo has said she is still hopeful that the opposition’s unification talks for the 2022 elections will prosper before the closing of the filing of candidacy, despite recent presidential bid announcements.