Robredo Refuses to Give Up on Opposition Unity Ahead of Candidacy Filings
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said she would continue pursuing her "unity talks" with potential presidential candidates in the 2022 elections, hoping that they would still come together in the two weeks before the filing of candidates from Oct. 1 to 8.
Three of those whom Robredo talked to --- Senators Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno --- had announced their presidential bid for the upcoming polls.
Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV also told Robredo to decide on calls for her to run for president next year after her unity talks failed, but the vice president believes that so long as communication lines are open, there is still hope.
"Tinitignan natin kung may pag-asa pang magsama-sama. Siguro merong iba na hindi na natin maaaya. Pero hanggang may communication lines pang bukas, patuloy ko yun ipu-pursue," Robredo said during her weekly radio program.
"The more na magkaisa kami o the more na mabawasan yung tatakbo against the administration, mas mabuti. Dahil may two weeks pa, hindi ko mamadaliin yung sarili ko dahil meron pa namang pag-asa," she added.
Robredo also said she has until Oct. 8, the deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy for the 2022 elections, to make a decision whether to run for president or not. She assured her supporters that she is listening to their calls.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa tiwala pero marami pa kasing kailangang isaalang-alang. Hindi nareresolve yung problema sa pag-file, kasi isang step lang yun. May mas complex na mga problem after the filing," she said.
Robredo also belied claims that a presidential candidate was willing to slide down as her vice presidential running mate in exchange for P1 billion.
"Hindi yun totoo kasi yung presidential candidate na nire-refer nila, hindi pa naman namin pinag-usapan kung sino yung magpe-presidente, sino yung magv-vice e," he she said.
The vice president urged those who fabricate such claims not to resort to fake news.