黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Vice President Leni Robredo said she is prepared to face backlash if she drops out of the presidential race in 2022, but only if particular demands are met and would be the best thing for the country.

In an interview with Radyo Katipunan on Friday, Robredo said that she expects widespread scrutiny from those who want her to run.聽 However, it is not a big concern if backing out will mean putting an end to tyrannical leadership practices.

鈥淚to makaka-attest 鈥榶ong mga kausap ko, parati ko nang sinabing sinasabi na kapag nag-give way ako sigurado ako na mumurahin ako ng ibang tao, siguradong 鈥榶ong ibang supporters ko magagalit sa akin,鈥� she said.

(This one, people I鈥檝e talked to can attest to this recently. I have always said that if I gave way, I am sure that other people would badmouth me, even my supporters would be mad at me.)

鈥淪iguradong maraming magtatampo, sasama 鈥榶ong loob, pero 鈥榶ong para sa akin ready nga akong i-take 鈥榶on lahat,鈥� she added.

(Surely, a lot would be disappointed, some would be holding grudges, but I am ready to take in all of that.)

Robredo mentioned during the early part of the interview that her primary consideration has been to prevent the return of the Marcoses to Malaca帽ang and to stop another possible President Rodrigo Duterte-style of governance.

While running for president may make her supporters happy, it would be pointless if the Marcoses or the Dutertes returned to power.

鈥淩eady akong i-take 鈥榶on lahat kung sa paniniwala ko 鈥榶on 鈥榶ong makakabuti sa bansa natin [鈥�] kasi at the end of the day, tumakbo ako, masaya 鈥榶ong supporters ko, pero kung iba 鈥榶ong mananalo sa May, at pagtitiisan natin ng another six years?聽 Alin ba 鈥榶ong mas matimbang?鈥� she asked.

(I am ready to take in all of that if, in my belief, that would be the best for our country.聽 Because at the end of the day, would it be okay if I run and make my supporters happy, but other parties would win in May and we would suffer through another six years? 聽 What is more important?)

鈥淪o sa akin kung magaglit sa akin, personal 鈥榶on eh, titiisin ko na lang.聽 Basta nangyari, basta hindi nakalusot 鈥榶ong kinakatakutan nating maka-lusot,鈥� she added, in an apparent reference to former senator Bongbong Marcos and Duterte鈥檚 daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

(For me, even if they get mad at me, it鈥檚 personal, so I鈥檒l put up with it as long as those we don鈥檛 want in power do not win.)

Earlier, Robredo said that the Philippines could not endure six more years of Duterte-style governance. The 2022 presidential election needs to focus more on what needs to be done to prevent a similar regime to Duterte鈥檚, she added.

READ: Robredo: PH can no longer stand another six years of Duterte-style governance聽

Robredo said on September 19 that, in a presidential election, she favors a direct contest with former senator Bongbong Marcos 鈥� son of the late dictator and former president Ferdinand Marcos 鈥� although there are other factors to be considered.

Robredo鈥檚 statements came after Marcos 鈥� who lost to Robredo in the 2016 vice presidential race 鈥� expressed confidence about winning should they face in the May 2022 elections.

READ: 鈥楪o na go ako dun,鈥� says Robredo on Marcos鈥� one-on-one challenge in 2022 polls聽

READ: Bongbong Marcos confident of beating Robredo in 2022 election scenario聽

As of Friday, most of the frontrunners for the 2022 presidential race have declared their intention to run, starting with Senator Panfilo Lacson who was the first to declare, followed by Senator Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and then earlier, former senator Marcos.

Robredo has yet to announce her next political plans, but calls for her to run as president in 2022 have been mounting on social media.聽 There are also suggestions from activist and former lawmaker Neri Colmenares, that she, Moreno, and Pacquiao should resume discussions to formulate a single opposition force.

READ: Allies to Leni: Time to decide聽

READ: Robredo pressed: You need to decide now聽