Drilon denies Leni was pressured into running for VP

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Franklin Drilon on Tuesday denied that Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo was pressured into agreeing to be the running mate of Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.

In an interview with Bombo Radio, Drilon clarified that Robredo had second thoughts in running for vice president due to her children and to the "fear of the unknown."

The senator added that Robredo's daughters only gave their blessing to their mother on Saturday morning. The Camarines Sur lawmaker declared her candidacy on Monday.

READ: Leni Robredo asks self: Why me?

"Biro mo naman ay bigla at mabigat na responsibilidad itong papasukin ni Congresswoman Leni Robredo, kaya 'yung mga kanyang anak ay nag-aalangan," Drilon said.

Drilon said Robredo's ratings are bound to rise now that she has declared her intent for the vice presidency.

"Dahil siya po ay larawan ng good governance, kasama ang kanyang kalihim na si Jessie Robredo, kaya po kami naniniwala na itong si Congresswoman Robredo ay siyang makakatulong hindi lang sa kandidatura ni Mar Roxas, kungdi po sa buong bansa kung siya ay maihalal bilang bise-presidente," the senator said.

Robredo only scored single digits in the latest Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations surveys on possible vice presidential bets.

Drilon noted that Roxas's ratings started to jump when President Benigno Aquino III endorsed him as the administration party's presidential candidate in 2016.

"So ganoon talaga, kapag hindi ka pa nagdedeklara, ay siyempre bakit ka naman kaya pipiliin ng taumbayan sa survey, ay hindi ka naman kandidato," Drilon said.

Meanwhile, the ruling LP is set to announce its complete senatorial lineup by Friday.