Vice President Leni Robredo FILE PHOTO / Screengrab from OVP
MANILA, Philippines — As more presidential aspirants formalize their bids for the 2022 race, the Magdalo group led by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday pressed Vice President Leni Robredo to now decide about her plans for next year’s elections.
Trillanes said that with only a week left before the filing of the certificate of candidacy, Robredo has had enough time to contemplate and arrive at a final decision. He also stressed that those who have so far formally declared running for president in 2022 are not part of the “true opposition.”
“Sa mga nakaraang buwan, ang buong oposisyon ay hinayaan si VP Leni na pagdaanan ang kanyang masusing decision-making process. Nirespeto at inintindi ito ng oposisyon dahil alam natin kung gaano kabigat ang desisyong ito,” Trillanes, chairman of Magdalo, said in a statement.
(In the past months, the whole opposition let VP Leni go through her decision-making process. The opposition respected and understood this because we know how heavy of a decision this is.)
“Subalit ngayong isang linggo na lang ang nalalabi bago ang filing ng certificate of candidacy, naniniwala kami na sapat na panahon na ang nagdaan para sa kanyang masusing pagsusuri at pagtimbang sa kung ano ang makakabuti sa ating bansa,” he added.
(But now that the filing for the certificate of candidacy is only one week away, we believe that she has had ample time to weigh on a decision that would be most beneficial for the country.)
According to the former senator and staunch Duterte administration critic, the “true opposition” can count on Magdalo to “fill in the gaps” should Robredo chooses not to join the presidential race next year.
“Makakaasa ang hanay ng TUNAY NA OPOSISYON na nakahanda ang Magdalo na punuan ang kakulangan sa liderato kung sakali ngang umatras nang tuluyan si VP Leni,” Trillanes said.
(The true opposition is assured that Magdalo is ready to fill in the gaps in the leadership if VP Leni backs out.)
READ: Coming soon: VP Robredo’s decision on 2022 presidential bid
This call of the Magdalo group, through Trillanes, comes after the “unity talks” being pushed by Robredo have already been “completely trashed” with the declaration of Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno to run for the president in 2022.
“Simula’t sapul, talagang desidido naman silang tumakbong pagka-Presidente. Bukod pa rito, hindi naman sila TUNAY NA OPOSISYON kahit papano pa natin baliktarin ito. Kung kaya’t nananawagan na ang grupong Magdalo para sa agarang pagdedesisyon ni VP Leni ukol sa darating na 2022 elections,” Trillanes said.
(From the start, they have already decided on running for president. Aside from this, they are not part of the true opposition in any way. That’s why we call on VP Leni to decide on her plans for the coming 2022 elections immediately.)
Trillanes vowed that the Magdalo group is ready to push for Robredo’s presidential bid in next year’s polls.
“Handang-handa na rin kaming mga pwersa ng oposisyon na nagkakaisa sa likod ni VP Leni para itulak ang kanyang kandidatura sa pagka-pangulo. Kumbinsido rin kami na mananalo si VP Leni sa pagkapangulo sa oras na ituloy nya ang kanyang pagtakbo,” the former senator said.
(We in the opposition forces are very prepared and united behind VP Leni to push her presidential candidacy. We are confident that VP Leni will win should she push through with her bid.)
“Kung handa na si VP Leni, ipapanalo natin siya. Kung hindi naman siya tutuloy, nakahanda ang Magdalo,” Trillanes added.
(If VP Leni is ready, we will make her win. If not, Magdalo is ready.)
“Mahabang panahon na rin ang inilaan ng Magdalo sa patuloy na pakikipaglaban sa pangungurakot at pang-aabuso, at tunay na paninindigan para sa karapatan ng mamamayan. Hindi kami aatras sa hamong ito,” he further said.
(Magdalo has spent a long time continuing its fight against corruption and abuse and standing pat on the rights of the people. We are not backing down from this challenge.)
Trillanes stressed the need for Robredo to decide on whether she will lead the true opposition by running for the presidency or will just give way to someone else in leading the fight for genuine change.
“Hindi tayo nagmamadali pero hindi rin dapat tayo nagpapahuli sa usapin ng taumbayan,” he said.
(We are not rushing her but we should not be behind as well.)
Aside from Pacquiao and Moreno, Senator Panfilo Lacson has also already declared his presidential bid in 2022.
All three have been in talks with Robredo, who is aiming to “forge the broadest possible unity among groups and individuals seeking change in 2022.”