Rival political groups unite behind Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo during her 2021 Ulat sa Bayan. Screengrab from OVP

MANILA, Philippines — An organization of former University of the Philippines student leaders on Monday declared their support for Vice President Leni Robredo’s possible presidential bid, the latest group to call on her to run in the 2022 polls.

Nagkaisang Tugon, a 41-year-old political coalition formed during martial law, said they believed Robredo was the only qualified leader among all presidential candidates.

“We believe and declare that she is the correct call to lead the country,” they said. “We have been waiting for such a leader for the past four decades and continue to hope we would one day see it through.”

Tugon’s statement comes after its rival political group, Samasa, also affirmed its support for Robredo—signaling growing efforts in crossing party lines to frustrate a Duterte-Duterte bid for Malacañang.

Both groups were formed under the Marcos regime to galvanize the student movement toward toppling the dictatorship.

Robredo herself is a UP alumna, having taken up BS Economics from 1982 to 1986.