Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday declared she is running for president in 2022, in a race that pits her anew with her 2016 rival Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., but this time in a contest that also includes three other strong contenders.
“Buong-buo ang loob ko ngayon: Kailangan nating palayain ang sarili mula sa kasalukuyang situwasyon. Lalaban ako; lalaban tayo. Inihahain ko ang aking sarili bilang kandidato sa pagkapangulo sa halalan ng 2022,” said Robredo in her speech.
“Handa dapat tayong iwaksi nang buong-buo ang mga agenda, ang mga interes, ang mismong mga tao at klase ng pulitika na sanhi ng pinagdaraanan ng bansa ngayon,” she added.
Robredo announced her candidacy a day after Marcos filed his COC for the same post.
“Kung saan ang lakas ng bawat isa ay nagiging nagkakaisang lakas ng lahat– lakas na dadaig sa anumang krisis, anumang hamon, lakas na magiging simula ng ating kolektibong pagbangon,” she added.
Earlier, Robredo has asked Filipinos to unite and prevent the same fate during the Marcos regime.
For his part, Marcos has already expressed confidence that he will beat Robredo in the 2022 national elections if it’s a “head-to-head battle” between them for the country’s highest post.
Marcos has filed an electoral protest against Robredo before the Supreme Court, acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, but it was junked.