Robredo: My focus now is Naga mayoral run

Metro Manila, Philippines — Former Vice President Leni Robredo told NewsWatch Plus she is shutting the door to a possible Senate run “for now” and would focus on winning the mayoral race in her hometown Naga City, Camarines Sur in the 2025 mid-term election.

In an interview on "Zoom In" aired on Saturday, July 7, Robredo said a local post is a step to begin programs in education and health, that can be carried out as well in other areas.

“For now, I have decided to run for the mayorship of Naga,” she said. “Tingin ko mas aligned ‘yung skill sets ko doon.”

“Mahirap na ipilit to run for something na parang hindi aligned sa capacities ko just to hold a national position,” she added.

[Translation: I believe my skill sets are suited for the mayorship of Naga. It’s difficult to insist on running for something not aligned in my capacities just to hold a national position.]

Seen as an opposition figure, Robredo told supporters that she has not left the cause in refusing a Senate bid.

Robredo lost by a big margin to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 national elections.

‘More exciting in local’

During her vice presidency, Robredo launched anti-poverty and pandemic response programs under her office’s ‘Angat Buhay’ initiative. She founded it as a non-government organization after the presidential polls.

She said she was limited in her work as vice president as she was “not given the space.” Robredo and former President Rodrigo Duterte were at odds for most of their terms.

“Hindi lang national office ako pwedeng mag-showcase ng gano’ng programa, mas exciting pag local,” Robredo told NewsWatch Plus. “Mas exciting pag local because you’re closer to the ground.”

“Mas nararamdaman mo yung pangangailangan ng tao. At the same time, nakikita mo kaagad ‘yung results ng ginagawa mo,” she added.”

[Translation: I can showcase those programs not only in national office. It’s more exciting at the local level because you’re closer to the ground. You can feel the public’s needs. At the same time, you can see immediately the results of your work.]

Robredo said her focus now is to “prepare for the three years just in case I win” the Naga mayoralty post.

Robredo was Camarines Sur's 3rd district representative in 2013 to 2016 before winning the vice presidency in 2016.

She was also chairperson of the Liberal Party from 2017 to 2022.