Leni tells Sharon Cuneta why she chose Kiko Pangilinan as her VP bet

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday told Sharon Cuneta why she chose the showbiz personality's husband Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan to be her running mate in Eleksyon 2022.

Asked by Sharon why she chose Pangilinan as her vice presidential teammate, the presidential aspirant said it was the Liberal Party stalwart who made "the most sense."

“Noong una hindi ko pa tinitignan si Senator Kiko kasi I knew that personal circumstances para sa akin sobrang unfair for him pero noong may nakausap ako na suggesting him parang feeling mo na he makes the most sense,” Robredo told Sharon on the "megastar's" YouTube Channel.

(At first I didn't look at Senator Kiko because I knew that there are some personal circumstances and for me it was very unfair for him but when I talked to someone who was suggesting him it seemed like you feel like he makes the most sense.)

The presidential aspirant said she was comfortable with Pangilinan and they have the same personality.

Robredo said the senator had the same values as her late husband former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

When she finally decided to run for the presidency, Robredo said she immediately messaged Pangilinan to be her running mate.

However, Pangilinan was ready to file for his candidacy in a senatorial bid during that time.

“Naalala ko nasa car ako noon tinext ko siya sinabi ko Senator Kiko, I talked to some people and they were suggesting na ikaw and ramdam ko na dapat ikaw," Pangilinan said.

"Tapos nabigla siya because he was going to file the following day for the Senate and ready na rin yung campaign team niya for the Senate,” she added.

(I remember I was in the car then I told Senator Kiko, I talked to some people and they were suggesting that you will be my vice presidential candidate. Then he was shocked because he was going to file the following day for the senate and his campaign team was also ready for it.)

Sharon said she was also shocked when she learned the news. She was in New York during that time.

“Pero noong sinabihan ko siya, syempre pinagdadasal ko siya pero I would have perfectly understood na ikaw yung aayaw. So sinabi niya na wala si Sharon pwede niya pagisipan seriously pagnagkausap na kayo,” Robredo said.

(But when I told him, of course I was praying for him but I would perfectly understand that you are the one who doesn't want to allow him, so he said that Sharon is not here, he said that he would think of it seriously when you both talk.)

Sharon admitted that the decision was difficult for her.

“Hindi po naging madali sa akin pero iniisip ko po yung situation ninyong dalawa na sense of duty po talaga and sa akin I can't dictate to my husband who has been wanting to serve since seven-years-old and I can't say no, do not support Ma’am Leni,” Sharon said.

(It has not been easy for me but I think about the situation of the both of you who really have a sense of duty and for me I can't dictate to my husband who has been wanting to serve since seven-years-old and I can't say no, do not support Ma'am Leni.)

Sharon expressed her support to Robredo, citing that her honesty made a huge impact on her.

“Mabait na tao talaga siya si Senator Kiko wala talagang masamang tinapay,” Robredo said.

(Senator Kiko is a really good person.)

Pangilinan was first elected as senator from 2001 to 2007. He ran for a second term and ended his stint in 2013 as he held certain posts under the Aquino administration.

He was then reelected in the Senate in 2016. -NB, GMA News