With PH survival at stake, opposition must unite for its toughest campaign – Colmenares

Former Rep. Neri Colmenares, chair of Bayan Muna, under which he would again run for  House seat in the 2022 elections. (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines —  The opposition must unite for the 2022 national elections as more things are at stake than political careers, former Rep. Neri Colmenares said on Monday in his speech accepting his nomination as a senatorial of the Makabayan party-list group in the 2022 elections, along with Elmer Labog, chairman of the Kilusang Mayo Uno.

Colmenares urged key players — particularly Vice President Leni Robredo, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno — to revive unity talks.

“Because it’s the survival of the majority that’s at stake in the 2022 elections, it’s important for the whole citizenry to get together to end the tyranny and dynasty of Duterte,” Colmenares said in Filipino, referring to the president.

READ: Veterans, new faces lead Makabayan bloc’s Congress delegation for 2022

Colmenares also noted the importance of getting Robredo, Pacquiao, and Moreno to unite as they had been the target of Duterte’s tirade — which he said showed the chief executive’s desperation.

“There are already many citizens who supported Duterte who have broken away because of unfulfilled promises of change and worsening poverty under his failed governance,” Colmenares added. “There is an increase in DDS – Disillusioned Duterte Supporters. Duterte has been exposed as not the right leader of the country, especially in the midst of a pandemic.”

In its general assembly on Monday, Makabayan also announced those it had picked to run for seats in the House of Representatives in 2022.

One of them is former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, who said in Filipino: “This may be the most serious fight of Bayan Muna its more than two deades of involvement in the parliament of protest. What’s at stake in the 2022 elections is not only our representation in Congress but also the country’s democratic space, which has become very tight in the last five years. Our survival as a democratic and independent nation is at stake.”

“Poised for 2022 are the tandems of  Sarah Duterte – Bong Bong Marcos,  or Bong Bong Marcos and Rodrigo Duterte. Or the worst is the tandem of Duterte-Duterte. Whatever the combination, it will only lead to one thing if they win — the continuation and strengthening of an executioner regime that’s corrupt and a puppet of foreigners,” he added.

While Moreno and Pacquiao have announced their intention to run for president, several sectors and parties have still not given up on a united coalition as Robredo has not yet announced her political plans.

Last Friday, Pacquiao said he remained open to a possible united front, achieved through talks like the one  initiated by 1Sambayan. Moreno also noted that he was still open to achieving some sort of unity.

Robredo said she was still not giving up on the possibility of forming a united opposition.

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