Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday, Sept. 6, said that she might throw her support behind either Manila Mayor Isko Moreno or Senator Manny Pacquiao if they have the “broadest coalition possible” to defeat the administration candidate in the 2022 polls.
Robredo has been holding “exploratory talks” with possible 2022 contenders over the past few months in a bid to come up with a united slate to end the Duterte administration.
“Ako (Me), yes. Yes, if that will be the result of discussions. And that will be the result of the discussions of the broadest coalition that we can form. Bukas ako sa kahit ano na (I am open to anything that) would put a stop to this kind of governance already,” she said when asked on ANC’s “Headstart".
But Robredo clarified that she continues “to give serious thoughts to a possible presidential run” and that she keeps in mind her supporters who have been clamoring for her to throw her name in the 2022 presidential race.
The Vice President has reportedly talked with Pacquiao before he left for the United States to train for his last boxing match but now that he’s back in the country, she is waiting for him to finish his quarantine before they can resume talks again.
READ: Robredo to resume talks with Pacquiao, Moreno after quarantine
She also held exploratory talks with Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson, as well as Senate President Vicento “Tito” Sotto III. Lacson and Sotto are the only ones who confirmed their tandem for the 2022 polls.
The opposition leader, however, refused Lacson’s offer to submit their names for the position for the purpose of withdrawing and supporting only who will emerge in the presidential surveys in November.
Robredo said she’s hoping to talk again with the senator because “we agree that we want what’s best for the country.”
The biggest consideration, she said, is who among them has “the ability to have the broadest coalition possible” because they need “to go to 2022 with a united front.”
She admitted that she has already spoken to all contenders, and that they agreed to speak again soon.
READ: ‘If I run, I won’t back out’: Robredo firm on uniting opposition forces
Despite clamors from various groups for her to run and “save” the country from the current administration, Robredo made it clear that she doesn’t see herself as a “savior.”
“I keep myself close to the ground,” the 56-year-old said, adding that she hopes “more people will put the interest of the country first.”
If she does not run for president, she can either go for a local position in her hometown in Naga City or she can simply retire from politics.
Robredo said she’s also open to helping the next administration if she doesn’t join politics in 2022, although she has ruled out joining the senatorial slate because that is not where her “strength” lies.