By Daniel Manalastas
Former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. chooses to give way for Vice President Leni Robredo on her possible gubernatorial candidacy in Camarines Sur in the upcoming 2022 national elections.
“Others offered her (Vice Pres. Leni Robredo) the presidency to take advantage of her goodwill. I will offer her my career to give way for her gubernatorial aspirations,” Andaya told PTV News.
Andaya said in his Facebook page that he is retiring from local politics.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal at suporta mga ka-probinsya. Magretiro man tayo sa lokal na politika, pero ang serbisyo publiko, kailan man ‘di hihinto,” Andaya said in his Facebook page.
“Hindi naging madali ang desisyon kong ito. Pagkakataon naman ng iba na patunayan ang kanilang pagmamahal sa #Camsur. Oras na para mag LEVEL UP!” he added.
Sought for clarification, Andaya told PTV News in a text message that “it’s time to give way to others. Specifically to our new Governor. LENI ROBREDO.” When asked if he is eyeing a Congress comeback, he says his immediate family wants him to rest from politics.
“For now, my immediate family wants to rest na. We still have not gotten over the loss of my wife,” Andaya said. He also claimed that there are still some sectors wanting him to run for governor of Camarines Sur.
“There are still sectors calling for it. More so, I now have 19 incumbent mayors on my side. More than the sitting governor,” Andaya told PTV News.
Last June 2021, Robredo already said in a Twitter post that she hasn’t come up yet on her decision in 2022.
“Sa gitna ng maraming haka haka, uulitin ko lang ang ilang beses ko na ring sinabi: Wala pang desisyon na ako’y tatakbong gobernador. Nananatili akong bukas na maging kandidato sa pagka-Pangulo,” Robredo said.
“Maraming konsiderasyon ang isinasaalang-alang pero siguradong mag-dedesisyon ako sa tamang panahon. Sinisiguro ko sa lahat na ipapaalam ko kung may narating nang desisyon,” she added. -rir
