Before announcing her candidacy for president, Vice President Leni Robredo had two options in mind: seek a local post or retire from politics.
Speaking on her Sunday radio show, Robredo revealed these were her initial plans until she decided late to run for president in the 2022 elections.
“Iyong balak ko talaga, dalawa na lang— either magpapahinga ako o magkakandidato ako ng lokal (My plans were only two—either to rest or to run for a local post),” Robredo, an opposition leader, said.
The vice president explained since August she was talking to other presidential candidates as a way to unify the opposition, but the unity talks she initiated fell through.
“Nag-exert tayo ng maraming effort na magkaroon sana ng unification para tutulong na lang ako sa mga national candidates and uuwi ako sa amin para dun naman magbuhos ng serbisyo (We exerted many efforts for unification so I would just help national candidates and I’ll will return home to provide services there),” she said.
READ: Robredo questions fellow candidates’ principles as she reveals reason for failed 'unity' talks
“Pero hindi naging maganda. ‘Yung pinagdadasal natin na magiging katapusan ng lahat ng usapan, hindi nangyari (But it did end well. The good ending of all the talks we were praying for did not happen),” Robredo added.
The vice president announced her presidential bid last Oct. 7, then proceeded to file her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. She chose Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as her vice presidential running mate.
READ: ‘Buong-buo ang loob ko’: Robredo announces bid for presidency
Her announcement came after failed attempts to unify other presidential hopefuls including Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senators Manny Pacquiao, and Panfilo Lacson, all of whom have also filed their COC.
“Doon ko na-realize na mahirap talaga. Mahirap mag-unite ‘pag mayroong hindi alignment sa mga paniniwala, mayroong hindi pareho sa daan na gustong tahakin (I realized there that it is really difficult. It is hard to unite if there is no alignment of beliefs and the path to take is not the same),” Robredo said.