Robredo respects Duterte's decision to quit Senate race; focused on own campaign
Vice President Leni Robredo said on Thursday, Dec. 16, the withdrawal of President Duterte from the Senate race will not affect her team as they are focused on their own activities in the run up to the 2022 elections.

Robredo, who is seeking the presidency in the upcoming polls, said it was Duterte’s right to withdraw his candidacy for senator.
“Ako kasi, kailangan natin respetuhin iyon kasi personal naman na desisyon nila 'yun (For me, we have to respect that because it was a personal decision),” she said.
Duterte has formally retired from politics by withdrawing his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for senator before the Commission of Elections (Comelec) in Manila on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
His withdrawal came after his former long-time aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go backed out of the presidential race and after his daughter Davao City Mayor and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte endorsed his candidacy.
Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the President will spend more time with his family and enjoy the privileges of being a private citizen after his retirement.
READ: Duterte to spend time with family after term ends in 2022— Nograles
The opposition presidential aspirant was unbothered by Duterte’s withdrawal as she reiterated her camp is only mindful of her own campaign moving towards the 2022 elections.
“Iyong aming journey dito sa papasok sa (Our journey here in the upcoming) official campaign period ay nakatutok sa maraming mga taong tumutulong sa 'min (focuses on many people who are helping us),” she said.
“Hindi naman kami affected ng mga desisyon ng nasa, nasa labas ng grupo (We are not affected by the decisions outside of the group),” Robredo said.