MANILA, Philippines — Television host Vice Ganda reaffirmed his support for Leni Robredo, urging her to run again for president in 2028 despite her earlier statement that she is not considering a national bid.
Speaking before a large crowd at the Isarog International Hot Air Balloon and Music Festival on Friday night, Vice Ganda repeatedly called on Robredo, using humor, to grant what he described as the people’s request.
“Marami pong salamat po, Ma’am Leni. Anytime po itext niyo po ako, ano mang mangyari pupuntahan at pupuntahan ko kayo. Masaya akong naririto. Lahat ng panawagan niyo sa amin didinggin namin, sana dinggin mo din ang panawagan namin,” he said.
(Thank you very much, Ma’am Leni. Please feel free to text me anytime — whatever happens, I will come to you. I’m happy to be here. We listen to all your calls to us, and we hope you also listen to our call).
The remark drew loud cheers, with the crowd chanting “Leni! Leni! Leni!” in support.
Vice Ganda continued describing Robredo as a symbol of hope beyond Naga City.
“Naga is the heart, you are our heart, you are our hope. We need you to continue hoping to a wonderful future not just for our families but for the entire Philippines,” he said.
“Dinggin niyo po kami. Para niyo na pong awa (Please listen to us. Have mercy on us,)” he joked.
“Gusto naming maranasan yung luwag ng kalooban kasi ngayon nakikita ko yung mga ngiti niyo, kasi tignan niyo yung init hindi niyo alintana kasi yung puso niyo puno ng saya,” he continued.
(We want to experience peace of mind. I can see your smiles now — even in this heat, you don’t seem to mind because your hearts are full of joy).
“Sa Pilipinas, hindi lahat ng lugar ganyan ang nararamdaman ng mga tao kasi mas mabigat, mas malungkot, mas mahirap kaysa sa mas masaya. Sana lahat tayo, sana buong Pilipinas ganyan araw-araw. Hindi madali ang buhay, may kahirapan pero malaking bahagi ng mga puso natin yung gaan at saya.”
(In the Philippines, not all places feel this way. In many areas, life feels heavier, sadder, more difficult. I hope all of us — I hope the whole country — can feel like this every day. Life isn’t easy, there is hardship, but a big part of what we carry in our hearts is lightness and joy).
He added, “Yung pusong walang takot at pangamba, yung pusong punong puno ng pag-asa dahil alam natin tayong lahat ay pinamumunuan ng isang mabuting puso din (A heart without fear or worry, a heart full of hope, because we know we are all being led by a good heart as well).”
Vice Ganda also reassured Robredo that she should not feel pressured, joking that she still has a year before making a decision.
“We love you, Madam Leni, and magkita po tayo ulit sa campaign niyo. Huwag ka mapressure, next year pa tayo magaannounce (We love you, Madam Leni, and we’ll see you again in your campaign. Don’t feel pressured — we’ll make the announcement next year),” he joked.
“For now i-eenjoy muna ni Ma’am Leni ang Naga, deserve niyo naman yun, di ba? Hindi niyo ngayon iniisip yun kasi bilang mayor, talagang ang utak niya, ang puso niya, ang katawan niya eh naka-devote sa inyong lahat dahil pinangako at sinumpaan niya ito hanggang matapos ang kahuli-huliang oras ng kanyang termino bilang mayor ninyo,” he continued.
(For now, Ma’am Leni should enjoy Naga — you deserve that, right? As mayor, her mind, heart and body are devoted to all of you because she promised and swore to serve you until the very last moment of her term).
He then added a playful line that drew laughter from the audience, “Pero pagkatapos nun… baka naman. Promise po, magpapakalalaki ako tumakbo ka lang ulit. Joke lang, baka hindi ko maipangako yan (After that… maybe. I promise I’ll act like a real man if you run again. Just kidding — I might not be able to promise that).”
Vice Ganda closed his remarks saying, “Again, thank you very much, I love you very much, the Philippines loves you.”
Robredo has previously said she does not intend to seek a national post in 2028 and is focused on her role as mayor of Naga City, a position she assumed in 2025. Despite this, Vice Ganda suggested public clamor could still influence her decision.
