BATANGAS Governor Vilma Santos said she is not interested in running for vice president in 2016 elections but she is contemplating a run for Congress.
Santos said she is not ready for a national position.
"Wala akong plano, wala akong ambisyon. Hindi kasi madali na trabaho yun. Yung governor, sakripisyo na, how much more kung pag-uusapan natin (yung bise) na hindi biro. Alam ko yung kakayanan ko. Hindi ako prepared for that," she said in a Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph) interview.
She said she is seriously contemplating to run as representative of Batangas.
"I may run for Congress, kasi hindi naman siya ganun kahigpit like 24/7, 8 days a week. Eight days a week, as in literal, hindi ko kaya 'yon. Ito, legislative, pero not as heavy kasi batas din ito. That's part of my learning too, pero hindi ganoon kalaki ang burden," she said.
Santos, who spent nine years as a mayor of Lipa and another nine years as governor of Batangas, said it was not an easy job but a fulfilling one.
She said that it entails a lot of sacrifice, especially from her family life, but she made a promise to the people, which is to serve them, and does not regret a thing.
"Hindi madali. Marami akong sakripisyo at sa totoo lang, kung iisipin mo yung public service, sacrifice yan. Hindi totoo na masarap yan. Hindi kung gusto mo na maging epektibo," she said.
"Wala akong regrets kahit marami akong natapon na pagkakataon, income number one. Pero yung fulfillment na you're a woman, you preside a meeting and they listen to you. That's a legacy. The respect they give you because they follow you, kung ano yung ginagawa mo, yun ang legacy mo," she ended.
Santos' eldest son, Luis Manzano, in an earlier interview said he supports his mother’s decision not to run for vice president. He said his mother would prefer a "hands-on" approach when it comes to public service.
"Hindi siya yung tumakbong mayor para tumakbong senador, para tumakbong presidente. Hindi iyon ang diskarte niya. Ang mommy ko talaga, it's not about running for higher office. It's about being able to serve. The fact na pinag-aagawan siya shows public trust. It shows faith. It shows that my mom is doing an excellent job. So, I'm very thankful for that."
Manzano also revealed that he himself is still thinking whether to join government service. (Sunnex)