Leni Robredo Not Running For 2028 National Post; Allies, Supporters React

Naga Mayor Leni Robredo will not seek a national post in the 2028 general elections.

“I’m already certain in myself that I won’t run for national (in 2028),” she told radio dwNX on Tuesday, April 21. “Most probably, I will seek a second term (as Naga City mayor).”

Various groups are convincing Robredo, who served as vice president from 2016 to 2022, to run again for president.

She ran for Naga mayor last year after losing the presidential race in 2022.

A recent 2028 presidential preference survey conducted by the OCTA Research group showed the gap closing between Vice President Sara Duterte and Robredo.

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News on Monday, April 20, OCTA president Ranjit Rye said 33 percent of the respondents prefer Duterte, while 21 percent said they would vote for Robredo.

Rye, in an earlier interview, said Duterte’s numbers “went down for the first time in four quarters.”

Robredo overtook Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who previously said he is not planning run for president in 2028.

“Mayor Leni gained a lot in this quarter, nearly double digit. We’re still studying why,” the OCTA fellow and political scientist said.

“The long view is that her numbers have improved. She was always number three… now, she’s the candidate after the Vice President,” he added.

Duterte is facing impeachment complaints for betrayal of public trust and misuse of confidential funds, among others.

Amid her feud with President Marcos, Duterte announced her intention to run for president in 2028.

Mixed response

Allies and supporters of the Vice President had mixed reactions to her announcement.

In an interview with “The Big Story” on One News on Tuesday night, former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the opposition space could open up for other national candidates if Mayor Leni Robredo chooses not to run for national race.

He noted surveys showing increased support for Senators Risa Hontiveros and Bam Aquino when Robredo is not included as a presidential contender.

Earlier on Tuesday, political commentator and lawyer Jesus Falcis III told “Storycon” on One News Robredo’s announcement that she will not seek a national post in 2028 has sent shockwaves through her supporters.

Falcis said only the people of Naga could convince Robredo to run in 2028.

Former Senate president Franklin Drilon, a Liberal Party stalwart, said he was surprised by the decision of Robredo, noting that there was no such statement from her when they agreed to undergo a process to choose a unified opposition standard bearer for the 2028 elections.

Drilon said Hontiveros or Aquino could be the unified opposition’s choices if Robredo does not change her mind.

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said while he and the opposition respect Robredo’s decision to not run for a national post in 2028, he maintains that his then-running mate can establish the “strongest unity” with her rising poll numbers and lead the nation toward good governance.

“We respect her decision even as we disagree with it and believe that the national interest will be best served if at some future time she changes her mind and heeds the growing clamor of the people for her to lead the nation's fight for genuine service and good governance,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Mamamayang Liberal or ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said they “fully understand” what Robredo wants to accomplish for Naga and their fellow Bicolanos but expressed hope she would still change her mind.