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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Baka magalit na': Erice respects Robredo's decision to stay out of 2028 Palace race

'Baka magalit na': Erice respects Robredo's decision to stay out of 2028 Palace race

Published May 5, 2026 09:17 am

At A Glance

  • Rep. Edgar Erice says he respects Leni Robredo's decision not to run in the 2028 presidential race, noting she has clearly expressed her preference to stay out of national politics.
  • Erice has previously endorsed Robredo as the best opponent to Vice President Sara Duterte, citing her clean record, but now shifts focus to convincing former senator Mar Roxas to consider a comeback.
  • He reiterates that the LP should fight independently in the polls rather than coalescing with the administration.
Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo (left), Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice (Malacañang photo, Facebook)
Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo (left), Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice (Malacañang photo, Facebook)


Liberal Party (LP) stalwart Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice need not be told twice about Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo's supposed preference to stay out of the 2028 presidential race.
In a chance interview Monday, May 4, Erice no longer sounded enthusiastic about the prospect of Robredo running for the presidency opposite Vice President Sara Duterte.
"Ayaw niya eh. Di ba sinabi niya, ayaw niya? Kung siya, [eh] di siya. Kung siya mapili, di ba? Pero sabi niya, ayaw niya (She doesn't want to run. That's what she said right? She doesn't want to? If it's her, then it's her. If ever she gets chosen, right?)" Erice said of his fellow senior member of LP.
Based on his remarks, the Caloocan lawmaker respects Robredo's apparent decision to stay out of national politics.
"Baka magalit na yun kapipilit namin (She might get angry if he keep insisting)," Erice said.
It was only last Feb. 19 when the same congressman declared ex-vice president Robredo as the best person to field against the popular Duterte.
“Pero sa aking pananaw (But in my view)...isa lang ang pwedeng panlaban kay VP Sara, walang iba yan kundi si dating VP Leni (There's only one viable opponent against VP Sara, and that's nobody else but the former VP Leni)," he said.
"Walang issue ng korapsyon kay VP Leni kaya lang magkakaroon ng dalawang school of thoughts dyan (There is no corruption issue against VP Leni, but there will be two schools of though on that), whether we will coalesce with the administration or we will fight alone," added the former senior deputy minority leader.
Vice President Duterte--while staring at fresh impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives--declared her presidential aspiration last Feb. 18.
In 2022, Rodredo ran for the Palace seat and ended up second to eventual winner President Marcos. She was the LP chairperson at that time.
Three years later, the "Kakampink" leader ran and won as mayor of Naga City.
With Robredo seemingly out of the picture in 2028, Erice floated the name of former senator Mar Roxas as possible standard-bearer of LP.
"Sa pagkaka kilala ko sa kanya, mahal niya ang bayan, at hindi siya tatanggii sa tawag ng bayan (In my knowledge of him, he loves the nation, and he will not refuse the call of the people)...We're trying to convince him," Erice said of Roxas.
He has also reiterated that the LP is better off fighting alone in the polls instead of coalescing with the administration.

Related Tags

Edgar Erice Leni Robredo 2028 elections Mar Roxas Sara Duterte
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