Leni Robredo: '2022 polls far from my mind'

MANILA, Philippines — A showdown with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in 2022?

Vice President Leni Robredo made it clear yesterday the 2022 election is farthest from her mind.

“We are just entering the midterm elections. If we look at our history of elections, our campaigns, there are a lot of things that can happen in one year. How much more in three years?” she said in Filipino.

“Look at what happened in the 2016 elections. In one year, a lot of things happened: the frontrunners in 2015, we thought they were unbeatable, but they did not prevail,” she added.

Former vice president Jejomar Binay was initially touted as the frontrunner in the 2016 polls before being overtaken in pre-election surveys by Sen. Grace Poe.

Poe and Binay ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the final tally.

Robredo, herself an unlikely winner at the start of the campaign season, said elections are decided by various factors and not just decisions made by the candidates.

“Like what I always say, winning the presidency and the vice presidency is destiny. Like me, I have no plans of running for a national post, but last minute I was thrust in the situation and won,” she said.

“There are a lot who have prepared for a long time but did not prevail,” she added.

The Vice President said it is useless to prepare early for a presidential run, stressing that she would rather focus on her work.

“I think that if it is your destiny, whatever you do, you cannot stop it. I believe that what is important is if you accept an obligation, you will do everything to be able to properly fulfill you role,” she added.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, meanwhile, vowed to support the presidential bid of Sara Duterte if she decides to run in 2022.

“Another lady president would be very much welcome. I would support her should she decide to run. She will be another strong president,” Estrada told The STAR over the phone.

“She has a good track record as mayor of Davao for many years. The country needs a leader who has experience as local chief executive. All the ingredients are with her to be a good fighting president. We need a fighting president,” Estrada said.    – With Jose Rodel Clapano