Leody de Guzman says he will not back out from presidential race

By: Cathrine Gonzales - 3 years ago

MANILA, Philippines — Labor leader Leody de Guzman assured the public on Wednesday that he would not withdraw from his presidential bid, following reports that he has backed out from the race.

“Hindi po tayo aatras. Malinaw ‘yan sa akin, sa aking partido, at sa masang Pilipino na naniniwala sa ‘Manggagawa Naman sa 2022,’” de Guzman said in a statement.

(We will not back out. That is clear to me, my political party, and the Filipino masses who believe it’s the workers’ turn in 2022.)

“Nararapat lamang na bigyan diin, ang aking kandidatura ay bunsod ng paghahangad ng masang Pilipino para sa makabuluhang pagbabago sa buhay pulitika at ekonomiya ng bansa. Kongkretisasyon nito ay ang plataporma na naka-sentro sa ‘Labor First policy,’ at pag-ahon sa krisis ng dulot ng pandemya at klima,” he added.

(It is worth stressing that my candidacy is a result of the desire of the Filipino masses for a significant change in politics and the economy in the country. This is concretized by our platform that is centered on the “labor first policy” and recovery from the pandemic.)

De Guzman said he is often asked in interviews if he is ready to withdraw his candidacy to support another presidential aspirant.

He added that if there are unity talks between his camp and other candidates, it is based on their principles on improving the lives of the masses.

“Bukas kaming makipag-usap sa lahat ng kandidato na seryoso sa layunin na resolbahin ang mga krisis na pinagdadaanan ng masa, kabilang ang pagdiskaril sa tambalang Marcos-Duterte,” he said, referring to the partnership between presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running-mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

(We are open to talking with all candidates who are serious about resolving the crisis being faced by the masses and on efforts to derail the Marcos-Duterte tandem.)

De Guzman, who serves as chairman of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, is the official presidential bet of the Partido Lakas ng Masa for the 2022 polls.