Groups in Iloilo urge Robredo to run for president

ILOILO CITY—Several groups and individuals here are urging Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo to run for president in the 2022 elections.

The “Iloilo for Leni” was launched online on August 21 to gather support for a possible candidacy of Robredo who has not announced her plan for any position.

Among the groups that are pushing for Robredo to run for president are Team Leni Robredo (TLR) Iloilo, Akbayan-Iloilo, Akbayan Youth- Iloilo, Liberal Party (LP)-Iloilo Magayon chapter, Liberal Youth- Iloilo, Kaya Natin Iloilo, Magdalo-Iloilo, Sentro-Iloilo, Partido Manggagawa-Iloilo, Women for Leni-Iloilo, and Sikad Para kay VP Leni.

Also part of the coalition are Team Pilipinas-Iloilo, Kababaihan Liberal-Iloilo, Iloilo Liberal Muslim Women for Leni, Iloilo Street Vendors for VP Leni, Iloilo Liberal, Seamans Volunteers for VP Leni, Lawyers for Leni-Iloilo, Friends and Supporters for VP Leni, Guimaras Island Volunteers for Leni, and 1Sambayan-Iloilo.

The launching was held a week before a convention set on August 30 where the call for Robredo to run for the highest position in the country will be formalized.

Iloilo and the rest of Western Visayas was a bailiwick of the Liberal Party in the 2016 elections.

President Rodrigo Duterte came in second to former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II who hails from Capiz province.

Duterte came in third in Iloilo province next to Roxas and Sen. Grace Poe.

But most LP members have since joined the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan or its allies in the administration coalition.