Carpio says 1Sambayan to consult Robredo on possible running mate, senatorial slate

MANILA, Philippines —  Vice President Leni Robredo, nominated by opposition coalition group 1Sambayan as its presidential candidate for the upcoming polls, will be consulted on who will be her running mate and who will compose their senatorial slate.

This was confirmed by former senior associate justice Antonio Carpio during 1Sambayan’s program on Thursday, adding that Robredo is now in the lead as they have already picked her as the presidential candidate.

“The vice president and the senatorial candidates will be chosen in consultation with our presidential candidate because our presidential candidate is the lead in the unified ticket, so we have to consult with her,” Carpio told reporters.

1Sambayan also has drawn up a shortlist, based on their poll, which featured other possible presidential bets and vice presidential bets like Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senators Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson, and former senator Antonio Trillanes.

Regarding the senatorial slate, Carpio said that they are expected to endorse a full slate.

“We will be meeting with VP Leni to consult her on that, we have actually drawn up a list, we have included these senatorial candidates and vice presidential candidates in our surveys, so it will be very easy for us to decide on that, but all we have to do is to consult VP Leni,” Carpio said.

“We should be able to do that before the end of the filing of certificates of candidacy […] Yes, I think we will endorse a full slate,” he added.

Unity talks may also find Robredo’s possible running mate, as they can choose from one of the presidential candidates not selected by 1Sambayan.

“We have already chosen her as our presidential candidate, I think for her vice presidential candidate, that’s where unity talks can come in because we can invite a presidential candidate to join us,” Carpio said.

However, it is unclear who would be picked by 1Sambayan, especially as three of the presidential candidates it either talked to or considered — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senators Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson — have already announced their intention to run for president.

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

Earlier, 1Sambayan picked Robredo out of the other candidates for the 2022 national elections, despite her not yet making a final decision on her next political plans.  In her message after the nomination, Robredo asked for prayers as she makes her decision in the coming days.

READ: Robredo is 1Sambayan’s presidential candidate for 2022 polls 

READ: Robredo thanks 1Sambayan for nomination, asks for prayers to help her decide 

But for Carpio, Robredo declining their nomination is a “very remote possibility” only.

READ: Robredo declining nomination for president a ‘remote’ scenario – Carpio