1Sambayan names VP Leni Robredo as their presidential bet for 2022 elections
Opposition coalition 1Sambayan has named Vice President Leni Robredo as their presidential bet for the 2022 elections.
Robredo has yet to confirm her bid for presidency, but the coalition expects that she'll accept the nomination. Should she decline the endorsement, 1Sambayan convenor retired chief justice Antonio Carpio said the coalition will reconvene to decide what to do. However, he said that this is a remote possibility.
Carpio added that their vice presidential and senatorial nominees will be consulted with Robredo. "We should be able to do that before the end of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs)."
Even though Robredo is at the tail-end of the presidential surveys, the coalition chose the Vice President as their standard-bearer as she topped the internal surveys, said Carpio. The group's other criteria include integrity, competence, track record, patriotism, and a vision for the country.
"Historically, those who were ahead in surveys this time of the year lost the elections. So the surveys at this time of the year don't reflect what will happen in the elections. what matters are the surveys later in February. It's early to rely on surveys right now," the former chief justice said.
Even with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announcing his run for president, 1Sambayan still aims to continue unity talks and have a singular opposition candidate for the 2022 elections. The unity talks will be headed by Robredo if she accepts the endorsement.
"We cannot prevent anyone from running for president, all we can do is to persuade. We have a big group supporting one candidate and maybe they can reconsider. If they run, they're probably getting votes away from our candidate. The unity talks will continue," Carpio said.
So far the list of those who have declared their presidential bid includes Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Sen. Ping Lacson, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and labor leader Ka Leody De Guzman.
(Banner photo from the Office of the Vice President).