Opposition ‘must go beyond anti-Duterte platform’ in 2022 polls – Drilon

(FILE PHOTO) Senator Franklin Drilon./INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The opposition “must go beyond an anti-Duterte platform” in the 2022 elections, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Wednesday, adding that the Liberal Party is “open to alliances.”

“The opposition must go beyond an anti-Duterte platform. The opposition must present a platform that says that we can do better. We can do better in the pandemic response,” Drilon, who sits as vice chairman of Liberal Party, said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.

Echoing Vice President Leni Robredo and Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan, Drilon said having only one opposition candidate for the 2022 elections is “desirable.”

“That is what 1Sambayan is trying to do, a very difficult task but that is what is needed,” Drilon added.

Over the weekend, election coalition 1Sambayan led by former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio named six presidential and vice-presidential nominees.

Among them are Robredo, former senator Sonny Trillanes IV, Senator Grace Poe, Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto.

“So we wish them luck and support their effort and we do hope that the opposition could come up with only one candidate because in the next year’s elections, as in any elections in the past, the administration would always have the advantage and we must exert every effort to oppose the administration candidate,” Drilon added.

/MUF