De Lima on Robredo presidential bid: ‘We continue to hope’

Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima held out hope on a potential presidential bid on the part of Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, stressing that the country needed a leader like the former Vice President who had a “proven integrity” to lead the country.

“I find it very regrettable. To hear that [former] VP Leni’s statement seems like the decision is settled. But you know, hope runs eternal...we continue to hope that there’s still a chance that she changes her mind,” De Lima told reporters at the Senate on Monday.

The veteran lawmaker would note that she would respect the decision Robredo would ultimately have on the presidency, regardless of their aspirations for the Naga mayor to take another shot at the executive seat.

In a radio interview on the same day, the former Vice President reiterated a position she has consistently held over the past year—that she has no intention of running for president.

Robredo expressed that there was “nothing” that could change her mind, similarly ruling out any bids for a post in national office.

“There isn’t anything that can change my mind. Even if I decide that I don’t want to run for mayor, I won’t return to the national level,” she said.

“I won’t run for president, I really won’t run,” she maintained.

The mayor said that the decision came amid a thorough self-assessment, admitting that she did not have the “savviness” to traverse the realm of national politics.

She explained that what was needed from a national leader was to be a “strong communicator,” a characteristic she said she was weak at.

Robredo, however, stated that she was very much open to endorsing other “competent” and “deserving” candidates such as allies Senator Bam Aquino, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and former running mate Senator Franciso “Kiko” Pangilinan.

In 2022, Robredo and Pangilinan campaigned together despite the mayor deciding to run as independent candidate. She was the chairperson of the Liberal Party (LP) at the time.

Both candidates would come in second as the UniTeam coalition between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte dominated the polls.

After a brief pause in her political career, Robredo became the mayor of Naga City during the 2025 national elections and has since expressed her intent to remain in the local post.

De Lima, however, said that she personally refuses to believe that her ally was truly set on her decision, reiterating her belief that Robredo was really needed by the country.

“I do believe that she is really needed by the country, VP Leni. With all of the problems, with all of the issues, with all of the challenges in our country and our political climate is facing right now. We need somebody like VP Leni,” she said.

“She has a proven confidence, a proven integrity that could really implement good governance,” she added.

De Lima, who currently serves as the chairperson of LP, said that she has yet to communicate with her colleagues but was certain that they shared the same sentiment as her.

While noting that the party’s doors were not necessarily closed for other candidates, the former senator said that it was really their position that Robredo was the “best hope for the country.”

Weighing in on the matter, Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice told the DAILY TRIBUNE that it was crucial for their party to meet and discuss who their presidential candidate will be for the coming elections.

Erice stressed that it was also important for LP to refrain from forming allegiances either to the Marcos and Duterte groups, and to instead run based on their own platforms and principles.

“I think that the LP should now meet and look for a presidential candidate for 2028 without considering alliances with both Marcos and Duterte groups. We should rely on our platform and basic principles and go all out and campaign throughout the country as early as today,” the lawmaker said.

Erice has said in previous interviews that he would no longer support LP in the event that it does align itself with the two political powerhouses.