Robredo 'way past numbers, personal convenience' in 2022 plans

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 10) — Vice President Leni Robredo is now mulling over bigger factors in deciding whether she will gun for the presidency.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Tuesday, Robredo stressed her "obligation" to weigh all the possible options with the future of the country at stake.

"Yung decision-making ko involves a lot of factors," she said. "It's not just the numbers. Kasi yun ang paniniwala ng iba na what’s keeping me from deciding is just the numbers. Hindi yun. Ang iba naman ang paniniwala, parang personal convenience ko. Sabi ko I’m way past that."

[Translation: My decision-making involves a lot of factors. It's not just the numbers. Because some people believe that what's keeping me from deciding is just the numbers. It's not that. Others, on the other hand, say it's my personal convenience. I said I'm way past that.]

"I repeatedly said this: I don't think the country can last another six years with this kind of governance," she pointed out, noting that good governance plays a crucial role in the middle of a crisis.

Robredo also clarified that she is still "exerting all efforts to reach out" to other potential 2022 contenders after presidential aspirant Sen. Ping Lacson recently bared that she rejected his "unification plan" to unite the opposition.

RELATED: Robredo defends decision rejecting Lacson's 2022 'unification' plan 

"Ayoko yung — syempre pag nag-file kami meron na yang, tataya na iyong mga tao," she confided. "Pag tumaya na ang mga tao, sinamahan ka na sa laban. Kung magwi-withdraw ako middle of the game, ang pakiramdam ko, panlilinlang."

[Translation: I don't want it like — of course, when we file, the people will gamble on us. When they gamble on us, it means they will accompany us in our fight. If I withdraw in the middle of the game, I think that's deception.]

Lacson on Sunday said that he respects the decision of Robredo, but insisted the proposal was "a selfless move" on his part.

Aside from Lacson, Robredo also admitted talking to Senators Manny Pacquiao and Richard Gordon, who are also being floated as potential presidential candidates.

READ: Robredo bares exploratory talks with Pacquiao, other 2022 aspirants 

Allies have been pushing Robredo to become the opposition's standard bearer despite her low ranking in surveys.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is currently dominating opinion polls on the people's presidential preference, followed by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.