Leni Robredo says she's not running for senator in Eleksyon 2025

Former Vice President Leni Robredo is not running for the Senate in the 2025 elections.

Robredo made the announcement in an interview with reporters after the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Luisito Occiano at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in her hometown of Naga City on Friday.

"Sinarado ko na ... kaya nagpaalam na ako sa LP (Liberal Party)...kaya ako nagpaalam sa LP na hindi na ako tatakbo sa Senado," Robredo said when asked if she is considering a 2025 Senate run.

(I have shut the door on a 2025 Senate run. I already informed the LP about it.)

Robredo also said that she is leaning toward running for Naga City mayor.

"Sinabi ko na ang preference ko ay tatakbo akong alkalde ng Naga (I have expressed my preference to run for mayor of Naga), " Robredo added.

LP president and Albay lawmaker Edcel Lagman earlier said Robredo already decided to run for Naga City mayor in the 2025 polls.

Robredo's husband, the late Jesse Robredo, also served as mayor of the city before he was appointed secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government during the administration of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

During the same interview, Robredo said her preference to run for Naga city mayor in 2025 was well thought out and based on several considerations.

“Ang preference sa pagtakbo sa Naga matapos ang mahabang pag balanse ng mga mabuti at hindi mabuting epekto sa lalabanan. Maraming kunsiderasyon...kung saan ako pinaka kailangan, saan pinaka magiging epektibo, ano ang abot ng makakaya ng aking mga resources,” Robredo said.

(The preference to run in Naga was a balancing act of the pros and cons of joining the elections.  There were many considerations...where I am needed most, where I can be most effective, what resources are available.)

The former Vice President, however, said she will not make an official announcement of her 2025 election plans until she ties up loose ends given that she is also the chairperson of non-government entity Angat Buhay Foundation which provides development aid to communities.

“Kapag sinabi kong marami na akong kailangan ma tie na loose ends, marami kasi akong obligasyon na matatalikuran kung ako'y tumakbo bilang alkalde. Ang gusto ko sana bago ‘yung announcement, naayos ko na lahat. Hindi porket nagdesisyon akong tumakbo sa pagka alkalde ng siyudad eh papabayaan ko na sila,” Robredo said.

(When I say tying up loose ends, it's because I have obligations that I need to let go in running for mayor in 2025. I would like to tie those loose ends before making the announcement. Just because I wanted to run for Naga city mayor, it does not mean that I will leave them hanging.)

“Sa LP, nakapaalam na ako, sa ibang miyembro [rin] ng oposisyon. Sa Angat Buhay, hindi pa ako nakakapagpaalam. Ang mga obligasyon ko at speaking engagements, tinatapos ko pa. We just had fundraising events in the US and Canada. And this Sunday, I will attend the Angat Buhay board meeting. Kailangan ng wasto at maayos na turnover. Pero ang preparasyon talaga, patungo sa pagtakbo bilang alkalde ng Naga,” Robredo added.

(I already informed the LP and opposition groups of my intentions, but in Angat Buhay, I have yet to give them a heads-up.  I also have speaking engagements to finish. We will have a proper and orderly turnover. But the preparation is towards running for Naga city mayor.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News