MANILA, Philippines — Actress Nadine Lustre, often affectionately called “Madame President” by her fanbase, declared on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, that she would “definitely” support Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo should the former Vice President decide to run for the presidency again in 2028.
Lustre made the remarks during an ambush interview at the House of Representatives, where she and her partner, businessman Christophe Bariou, joined Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima to file several legislative measures focused on environmental protection and animal welfare.
Key Statements from Lustre
- The Best Candidate: Lustre described Robredo as the “best candidate for the presidency” and noted her consistent support since Robredo’s first presidential bid in 2022.
- The Reluctant Leader: “Sometimes the best presidents are those who don’t want to run,” Lustre said, acknowledging that the final decision rests solely with Robredo.
- Political Alignment: Lustre’s visit to the Batasang Pambansa reinforces her active role in the opposition’s causes, having previously campaigned for both Robredo and De Lima.
The Opposition Context The actress’s endorsement comes amid heightening speculation that the Philippine opposition is consolidating ahead of the 2028 elections.
- Closing Ranks: Recent high-profile meetings between the Liberal Party (LP) and Akbayan have fueled rumors of a unified front against Vice President Sara Duterte, who is currently viewed as the front-runner.
- De Lima’s Optimism: Rep. De Lima, the newly elected chair of the LP, admitted that while Robredo has expressed a desire to focus on local governance, the party remains hopeful she will change her mind. De Lima cited the current economic state and national affairs as reasons why a “clean and capable” leader like Robredo is needed.
- Reflecting on 2022: De Lima suggested that the fractured state of the former “Marcos-Duterte” alliance might offer a different political landscape for Robredo in 2028 compared to her 2022 run.
Robredo’s Current Stance For her part, Leni Robredo has maintained that she has no current plans to seek national office, focusing instead on her duties as the mayor of Naga City. However, with influential figures like Lustre and party leaders like De Lima actively pushing for her return to the national stage, the “Robredo 2028” narrative continues to gain significant traction among supporters.