MANILA — Erwin Tulfo said he has no plans to run for a higher position in the 2028 national elections, amid speculation linking him as a potential running mate of Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo.

“Wala po akong plano na tumakbo sa higher office dahil naramdaman ko na yung pressure, yung intriga nung tayo tumakbo nung senador. Kawawa po pati pamilya ko nadamay, mga anak ko na walang kinalaman so ayaw ko na pumasok sa ganun na madamay ang pamilya ko,” Tulfo told Super Radyo dzBB.

(I have no plans to run for higher office because I already felt the pressure and the intrigues when I ran for senator. My family was affected, even my children, who had nothing to do with it. I don’t want to go through that again and have my family dragged into it.)

Tulfo made the statement when asked about reports linking him to allegations that high-profile politicians received bribes from kickbacks tied to anomalous flood control projects. He said speculation about a possible vice presidential bid emerged after a political analyst suggested a tandem with Robredo could defeat Vice President Sara Duterte in 2028.

Duterte has already announced she will run for president in the 2028 elections and confirmed ongoing discussions with her prospective running mate, who has yet to decide.

Meanwhile, Robredo emphasized that her recent meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not touch on political matters.

“Hindi ’to pulitika, at saka ang layo pa ng election. Hindi pa nga ako nagwa-one year sa puwesto ko, di pa umiinit yung upuan ko, tapos pulitika na agad… Magtrabaho muna tayo,” she said.

(This isn’t about politics, and the elections are still far away. I haven’t even completed one year in my current position, my seat hasn’t even warmed up yet, and people are already talking about politics… Let’s focus on doing our work first.)

Robredo previously served as vice president from 2016 to 2022 and ran for president in 2022, with Francis Pangilinan as her running mate.