VP Leni Robredo stresses that her presidential campaign is not based on the actions of her rivals in the likes of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Vice President Leni Robredo said she will not allow the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the petitions blocking the candidacy of her rival Bongbong Marcos Jr. affect the way her camp is going to run her presidential campaign.

This was how the only female presidential bet responded when asked for comment by reporters in Antipolo City on Monday, January 17, regarding the cases that have been filed by the Comelec against the dictator’s son, who is currently topping the pre-election polls.

“Hindi, hindi namin inaabangan kasi whatever naman nung desisyon ng Comelec, hindi naman apektado ‘yung laban. Lagi naman namin sinasabi na ‘yung laban ng aking kandidatura ay hindi naman nakadepende tsaka nakabase sa galaw ng ibang mga kandidato… Tayo, whatever the decision will be, sige lang tayo,” said Robredo.

The Vice President was interviewed minutes before the news broke that the Comelec’s 2nd Division junked the only petition to cancel Marcos’ certificate of candidacy (COC). 

The petitioners, led by former Supreme Court (SC) spokesman Theodore Te, argued that Marcos made a misrepresentation in his COC as he is ineligible to run since his conviction of failure to file income tax returns for four years allegedly carries the penalty of perpetual disqualification from serving any public office, to vote and to participate in any election.

The petition to cancel Marcos’ COC is among the three pending petitions filed against him.

The Vice President also guaranteed that her administration will pursue the recovery of Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth (which she said was “non-negotiable) if elected as president.

Malacañang said it respects the decision of the poll body.

“Comelec is an independent constitutional body. We respect the independence of the Comelec,” acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said in a statement.