Robredo Set To Run For Governor Of Camarines Sur – Andaya

Former Camarines Sur representative Rolando Andaya Jr. disclosed on Thursday, June 3 that Vice President Leni Robredo is set to run for governor of their province in the 2022 elections.

In an interview with “‘Wag Po!” on One PH, Andaya said Robredo already changed her address from Naga City to Magarao.

“I talked to her directly. I don't deal with her assistant… Residents of that town vote for our governor,” he said.

“Kasado na ‘yun (That is already sealed),” Andaya said, adding: “Lumipat na siya ng ibang bayan (She moved to another town) to enable her to change her voter address.

Andaya said he also wants Robredo to be the next president but her actions reveal that she is more inclined to run for governor.

Last month, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV also announced that Robredo is “preparing” to run for governor of Camarines Sur, and then offered himself to be the standard-bearer of the opposition in next year’s polls.

In response, Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez denied the claim of Trillanes, saying the Vice President remains open to running for president and has not made preparations to run for governor.

“This is not a time for politicking, but for working for the people’s welfare. She remains open to all options, including a possible candidacy for president, and at the appropriate time, she will personally convey her decision on this matter,” Gutierrez said.

Robredo served as representative of the third district of Camarines Sur for one term prior to her election as vice president in 2016.

Read more: ‘Huwag Pangunahan’: Leni Not Closing Doors On Presidential Run

On May 16, Robredo maintained she is not closing her doors to a possible presidential run in the May 2022 general elections.

“I haven’t changed my position yet since last year. I’m still open to all options and these options are either to run for president, run for governor, run for congressman, or not run at all, which is what my children want,” Robredo said in her program over dzXL.

Robredo thinks that a new family house, which is currently being built near Naga, could have triggered speculations about her alleged gubernatorial bid.

“When our mother died, my siblings and I thought of building a house in one of the properties our parents left us… These properties were very far from Naga, so I asked their permission to look for a nearby property and we have already started the construction. That created too much controversy,” she pointed out.

She earlier signed up for a national ID in Magarao town, adding fuel to rumors that she would consider running for a local post, specifically for governor of Camarines Sur. Magarao is around eight kilometers from Naga.

Asked about it again on “The Chiefs” on One News / TV5, Andaya repeated that Robredo told him about her plans to run for governor two weeks ago.

He said they talked “personally” and Robredo “intimidated” to him that they were on schedule or on track with regard to what they had discussed about her 2022 plans.

According to Andaya, the first thing that they asked Robredo to do was change her residency because Naga is an independent city and its residents cannot vote for or run as governor.

Andaya said Robredo “complied” with everything that is needed leading to her actual running for governor and has shown them her national ID.

Andaya added Robredo will transfer residency by next month.

The former lawmaker said it is not necessary to discuss other options for Robredo, such as a presidential run, since she has given her commitment to run for governor.

Andaya believes discussing other options with Robredo is “useless.” When they talk, he said the issues are about her platform and what she will do when elected governor of Camarines Sur.

“Dun lang napag-uusapan naming, we never talked about politics outside of Camarines Sur. And she has made it clear that, ‘Nonoy, all the conditions you’ve given me, I have followed. And just trust me that I will prove it next election by running for governor,” Andaya said.