Nancy, Isko asked to pull out of 1Sambayan nomination, says Carpio

MANILA, Philippines—Former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Saturday said Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Nancy Binay have asked to be removed from 1Sambayan’s list of potential candidates for president and vice president in the 2022 national elections.

Carpio, who’s one of the convenors of 1Sambayan, said in a virtual press conference that the two notified them that they would like to be taken off the list.

Binay and Moreno were on the group’s initial choices to run for president and vice president in 2022 but the two have since withdrawn.

“We initially included Sen. Binary but she wrote us that she’s not interested in running for the presidency and the vice presidency,” said Carpio during 1Sambayan’s announcements of its list of candidates.

1Sambayan officially announced that Vice President Leni Robredo, Sen. Grace Poe, Atty. Chel Diokno, Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, former senator Antonio Trillanes, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva will be its potential candidates for the elections.

Poe, however, had already withdrawn.

As for Moreno, Carpio said the Manila mayor also requested for his name to be removed from 1Sambayan’s list.

“We initially included him because he was also interested, we talked to him but the other day he wrote to us that he wanted his name taken out of the list of nominees and of course we respect that and we removed his name upon his own request,” said Carpio.

Another name that was in the initial list was Sen. Panfilo Lacson but the legislator also requested to be taken off 1Sambayan’s roster.

Lacson said he declined 1Sambayan’s offer as a form of self-respect.

“As any self-respecting public servant would do, it is in my humble position to take it upon myself to graciously decline your invitation in honor of my personal and political convictions that I have consistently and unwaveringly adhered to,” said Lacson.

/MUF