NAGA CITY — Mayor Leni Robredo has ruled out a return to national politics in 2028, saying her focus remains firmly on unfinished work in her hometown as she eyes a second term as mayor.

The former vice president, who now serves as Naga City’s first female mayor, said she has made up her mind not to seek a national post despite persistent calls from supporters.

“Sigurado na ako sa sarili ko na hindi na ko ma-national,” she told 91.1 DWNX FM.

Robredo stressed that while her administration has achieved significant progress, there is still much to be done in the city she has long called home.

“Sa hiling ko considerably, maaachieve ta man si mga pigset pero beyond that kadakol pang gigibuhon,” she added.

The mayor also cited the limits of her current three-year term, describing it as too short to fully implement her agenda.

“Ako sa tingin ko, ang three years maiksi. Maiksi siya para gawin ang lahat. In fact, very frustrating para sa akin… na marami ang gusto kong gawin na hindi ko mamadali dahil kailangan kong i-navigate ang bureaucracy. Dahil marami rin ang hindi ko control,” Robredo said.

“Ako most probably, magsi-seek pa ako ng second term [as Naga City mayor],” she added.

Robredo acknowledged ongoing calls for her to stage a political comeback on the national stage, but emphasized that her priorities remain local.

“Layo na sa horizon ko na mabalik ako sa national,” Robredo said.

The former vice president last ran in the 2022 presidential race, losing to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. She later shifted to local politics and won the Naga mayoralty in the May 2025 elections, marking a return to grassroots governance for the longtime public servant.

📷 Leni Gerona Robredo FB