Urban poor groups push Robredo for president

FILE PHOTO: Vice President Leni Robredo.

MANILA, Philippines — More than 500 urban poor groups have banded together to form a coalition supporting Vice President Leni Robredo’s potential bid for the presidency, in hopes of shoring up enough support for only one opposition candidate in the 2022 national elections.

On Monday, Leni Urban Poor (LUP) coalition—a broad alliance of social housing federations and community organizations—came together to support Robredo who, when she was former housing czar, helped champion their sector’s calls for humane housing and social development programs.

“[Leni] should be president,” said the coalition in their manifesto. “We also support Leni’s efforts to build broad opposition unity, which is based on her clear understanding of the political situation.”

The coalition counts among its members organizations under the umbrella of Akbayan, Institute for Popular Democracy, Institute for Philippine Cooperative and Social Enterprise Development, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, Kilos Maralita and other urban poor groups.

They believed that the opposition must only have one candidate in the coming polls to ensure victory.

Even so, they recognized Robredo’s efforts to reach out to other presidential aspirants to explore the possibility of unity of opposition forces, said LUP convenor Manny Manato.

But for former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, it’s Robredo or bust.

The Magdalo leader on Monday reiterated his position that only Robredo should carry the mantle of the opposition in 2022.