Vice President Leni Robredo was not yet considering supporting anyone else for president in the 2022 elections as running for the position herself was still "clearly" her first option, her spokesman said.
Lawyer Barry Gutierrez made the statement after Senator Panfilo Lacson said Robredo "resisted" the idea of unification after his meeting with the Vice President.
In a statement, Gutierrez reiterated that Vice President Robredo was still open to running for president in the 2022 polls.
"VP Leni is definitely open to running for President. She has made this clear several times, and despite claims from some quarters to the contrary, her determination on this remains firm," he said Thursday, August 5.
"Supporting anyone else for President is not yet being considered. The first option is still, very clearly, for VP Leni to run," he added.
In an interview with ANC's "Headstart," Lacson said he offered Robredo a "sure unification effort" that the Vice President had resisted.
"The gist of the discussion was unification, put up a common candidate if possible against the administration. I offered her a sure unification effort or formula," he said.
"She resisted. Hindi siya sold dun sa (She was not sold on the) idea but it was a sure formula putting up at least between the two of us a common candidate. Unfortunately, she didn’t buy it," he added.
Lacson took Robredo's supposed resistance as her inclination to running for president.
"Definitely, she is open to running," the Senator said.
Robredo has repeatedly expressed her openness to run for president but said there were many things to be considered before making a decision including resources and her ranking in surveys.
She, however, said the opposition should have one candidate to have a better chance against the administration's bet. The Vice President added that she would be fine if the chosen candidate would not be her.
Lacson, on the other hand, has declared his intention to run for president. His running mate would be Senate President Vicente Sotto III.