CLAMOR for Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo for a second presidential bid in 2028 has started to gain traction, a recent survey by the OCTA Research Group showed.
Data released by the OCTA Research Group showed Vice President Sara Duterte leading presidential preference with 33 percent despite a five-point drop, while Robredo significantly narrowed the gap by surging to 21 percent.
However, Robredo, who served as Vice-President during the previous administration, rejected the idea — with finality — of running for the 2028 presidential elections.
RETIRING IN NAGA
“Matagal na akong nagdesisyon… kayo lang naman ang may ayaw sa desisyon ko. Dito na ako sa Naga magre-retire,” the former vice-president said in an ABS-CBN interview.
“I am sure with myself that I will not go for national. In my opinion, considerably we will achieve what has already been set, but beyond that, there is much that needs to be done,” Robredo added.
Robredo earlier expressed frustration in seeing the limits of her mayoral term, for which she cited the need to seek reelection if only to sustain the programs she initiated.
“The three years, that is just brief for me. It is very frustrating that I cannot rush what I want to do because I need to navigate the bureaucracy,” she added.
CHANGE OF MIND
With Robredo putting an end to hopes of a political comeback on the national level, political analysts said Robredo’s decision could weaken the opposition’s efforts to challenge Duterte who is facing multiple corruption and plunder charges.
Her 2022 vice presidential running mate — Senator Francis Pangilinan caved in to Robredo’s decision.
“We respect her decision even as we disagree with it and believe that the national interest will be best served if at some future time she changes her mind and heeds the growing clamor of the people for her to lead the nation’s fight for genuine service and good governance.”
“I believe that Leni is in the best position to build the broadest and strongest unity not just amongst the ranks of the Liberal Party and our allies but to include all other groups and personalities outside our allied forces,” Pangilinan averred.
CLOSING THE GAP
Pangilinan stressed that with Robredo’s poll numbers on the rise, more “political colors,” civil society and private sector groups would likely rally behind her.
“A snowballing of support behind her bid is quite possible,” Pangilinan added.
He also highlighted that Robredo’s poll numbers are much higher going into 2028, compared to that of 2022, adding that should she change her mind, “a formidable coalition, far broader, more inclusive than the one we forged in 2022, can be cobbled together and lead us to victory in 2028.”
OCTA survey results showed Robredo significantly narrowing the gap with Duterte by notching 21 percent preference. The incumbent vice-president garnered 33 percent.
STRONG MASS BASE
Robredo retains strong grassroots support despite stepping back from national politics after her failed 2022 presidential bid, in which she lost by a landslide to President Marcos and Vice President Duterte, who ran on a joint ticket.
A leading opposition figure during the elder Duterte’s presidency from 2016 to 2022, Robredo emerged as a key voice for dissent in that period, which was marked by allegations of widespread human rights violations.
“I am aware that some still want me to run… [But] now, it is far from my horizon to return to national politics,” Robredo said.
She vowed instead to achieve the goals she had set when she ran for Naga mayor last year.
POWER VACUUM
Inquirer quoted political analysts that Robredo’s decision not to seek higher office could create a power vacuum among opposition figures and weaken their ability to mount a challenge against Vice President Duterte and her party.
Duterte had earlier announced her plan to run for president in 2028.
Still, Robredo’s supporters must respect her choice not to seek a national post in the 2028 elections, said Maria Ela Atienza, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, though she remains the opposition’s strongest hope.
“She is the most credible and popular among the anti-Duterte, anti-Marcos, anti-trapo voters compared to other opposition figures,” Atienza said.
COMMENCING SEARCH
It will be a challenge for the opposition to find another choice with the same kind of grassroots support, Atienza noted.
“They need to get their act together,” she said. “It is an uphill battle, but they need to learn the lessons from 2022. Start early, unite, and offer the electorate tangible and practical policy and program alternatives given the problems the country is facing.”
Anthony Lawrence Borja, an associate professor of political science at De La Salle University, warned that failing to act early on the part of the opposition “might project an image of disunity to the general public.”
“Given that we are in a leader-centric society, her blessing is necessary for this process of consolidation,” he said, adding that “her fanatics will follow whoever she endorses.”
CRITICAL JUNCTURE
For Arjan Aguirre, an assistant professor of political science at Ateneo de Manila University, Robredo’s decision should not be seen as a “step back” for the opposition.
He described Robredo’s decision as a “critical juncture” for sustaining gains made in 2025, when public outrage over the trillion‑peso flood control scandal could shape political alliances toward reforms.
“This moment tests whether the movement can evolve from one centered on a single figure into one grounded in broader coalitions, shared principles, and organizational depth,” he said.
“The challenge is whether these actors can bridge networks, coordinate reform-oriented groups, and sustain grassroots momentum from previous cycles while offering a clear direction beyond their core base,” he added.
The people are the messiah
SAVIOR MENTALITY
A few days ago, the former Vice President urged the public to end the “savior” mentality that often clouds elections.
Robredo emphasized that the search for a single “savior” hinders institutional growth.
“Mayo man nin monopoly sa kakayahan,” she noted, arguing that the country must stop relying on individual personalities and instead look toward a new generation of leaders.
In a recent interview with Asintado News, she identified Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte as capable leaders, shifting focus away from herself.
“Sa grupo namin, si Risa, ilang beses na nagsabi na okay siya. Sa tingin ko, si Vico would make a good president; ang isyu lang talaga ay edad. Ang isa pang nakikita ko na mayor na would make a good president si Joy Belmonte.”
POLITICAL JOURNEY
Reflecting on her own political journey, Robredo shared her preference for hands-on, local governance over the complexities of national politics.
“Marami akong hindi alam, pero masipag ako. Pwede sa local, pero sa national, marami talaga akong hindi kayang gawin. Mahina talaga akong makipag-navigate sa politika. Kaya sa tingin ko, mas bagay ako sa local.”
Robredo also said she doesn’t feel any political pressure now as a local chief executive.
“Wala na akong pressure. Iba kasi ngayon, iba noong 2022. Iba ang pressure dahil VP ako. So ngayon, makikita naman sa mga ginagawa, bihira akong pumunta sa Manila. Lahat ng invitation sa akin, hindi ko na tinatanggap kung walang koneksyon sa Naga.”