‘Closed’ chapter: Leni Robredo not running for president in 2028

MANILA, Philippines – Saying she is not politically savvy enough for a national position, Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo on Monday, November 9, thumbed down a presidential bid in 2028.

In media interview in Naga, Robredo sought to put an end to speculation about a possible 2028 bid, amid surveys showing her as the closest rival to the current top contender, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Robredo said that for her, a potential 2028 presidential run is “closed” and that nothing can change her mind. She said she reached that decision after a lot of self assessment.

“Trabaho kakayanin, pero kulang talaga sa political savviness para matraverse ko ang national politics (I can do the work but I’m really lacking in political savviness to traverse national politics),” she said.

Robredo said she was “open” to support a candidate who is “competent and deserving.” She said there are other potential contenders including Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, and senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Bam Aquino.

Sotto, however, would not be qualified to run for president in 2028 as he would only be 38 on election day, two years younger than the requirement.

The former vice president had said as early as April that she would “not anymore” seek a second presidential run and that she would rather work on her reelection as Naga mayor in 2028. (READ: Robredo rules out 2028 national bid, eyes Naga reelection)

Robredo was a distant second in the 2022 presidential elections with 15 million votes, against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 31.6 million.

After her 2022 loss, she focused on her Angat Buhay Foundation before returning to politics in 2025, this time to run for Naga mayor.

In her Monday interview, she said that “Kakampinks,” referring to her 2022 supporters, have been trying to persuade her to join the 2028 presidential race. She clarified that she never discussed the 2028 elections with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon nor President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during their past visits to Naga.

Pre-election surveys on potential 2028 presidential contenders have consistently shown Robredo as the closest rival of Duterte, who declared her intention to run for president as early as February this year.

Duterte, however, will not be able to run for public office if she gets convicted by the Senate in her ongoing impeachment trial. A decision is expected in December. – Rappler.com