MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Sunday said he will give Vice President Leni Robredo until the last day of the filing for the certificate of candidacy (COC) before finalizing his presidential bid.
This is in line with Trillanes’ promise that he will give way for Robredo if she decides to run for president in the 2022 National Elections.
“Pero kung ‘di pa rin sya makapagdesisyon by 12nn of October 8, tuloy na po ako ng pagka-presidente. ‘Di po natin hahayaang matalo ang tunay na oposisyon ng ‘di man lang lumaban,” said Trillanes in a statement.
(But if she still can’t make a decision by 12nn of October 8, I will continue to run as President. We will not allow the real opposition to be defeated without even fighting.)
Meanwhile, Robredo has yet to finalize her plans for the 2022 Elections but remained determined to push for unification efforts — all in order to quell the rise of the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and the return of the Marcos family to power.
According to Robredo, there is still hope to unite against the administration before the COC filing ends in two weeks.
The COC filing period is from October 1 to 8 and will be held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
Trillanes earlier announced his presidential bid — together with the promise that he will give way for Robredo — as early as May 12.
Aside from Trillanes, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, as well as Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has also already declared their presidential bid in 2022.
All have been in talks with Robredo, who is aiming to “forge the broadest possible unity among groups and individuals seeking change in 2022.”
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