Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Progressive coalition Makabayan and its senatorial bet Neri Colmenares have endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan for the 2022 national elections, top officials said.
During his speech for the acceptance of 1Sambayan’s nomination for him to be a part of its senatorial slate, Colmenares confirmed that Makabayan Coalition is already endorsing Robredo and Pangilinan.
“Sa puntong ito, nais kong ipahayag, sa ngalan ng aking partido, ang Makabayan Coalition, ang aming pag-endorso at malakas na suporta kay VP Leni Robredo bilang kandidato sa pagkapangulo ng Pilipinas at kay Senator Kiko Pangilinan bilang bise presidente,” Colmenares said.
(At this point in time, I would like to express, in the name of my party–the Makabayan Coalition–our endorsement and strong support for VP Leni Robredo for president and Senator Kiko Pangilinan for vice president.)
“Ito ay sa batayan ng nagkakaisang pusisyon sa mga usapin kaugnay ng pandemic response; pag-angat ng kabuhayan ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka, maralita at katutubo; mga isyung pangkalikasan; pagtaguyod ng human rights at tunay na kapayapaan, at soberanya sa West PH Sea at buong kapuluan,” he added.
(This is based on a unified position on issues of pandemic response; uplifting the lives of our workers, farmers, marginalized and natives; environmental issues; human rights and real peace; sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.)
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general and Makabayan official Renato Reyes said that the group supports both Colmenares’ inclusion and Makabayan’s decision to support Robredo and Pangilinan.
“We welcome the inclusion of Neri Colmenares in the 1Sambayan opposition slate. We likewise support the endorsement made by the Koalisyong Makabayan for the candidacies of Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan. It is now #Makabayan4LeniKiko,” Reyes said.
“This is an important development in unifying all democratic forces in defeating Marcos and Duterte. This gives our nation hope for meaningful reforms amid the worsening crisis of the past six years. We look forward to seeing the different groups working together to defeat tyranny and advance democracy,” he added.
The decision of the Makabayan to support Robredo and Pangilinan ends months-long speculation about whom the coalition would support, given that Colmenares was not included in the Vice President’s slate which she released last October.
United opposition
Colmenares, a human rights lawyer and Bayan Muna chair, officially joined the opposition coalition 1Sambayan’s Senate ticket, hopefully putting an end to the bitter infighting within the opposition and reinvigorating hopes for a broad united front against the specter of a Marcos presidency.
During 1Sambayan’s virtual proclamation event, Colmenares also revealed that the Makabayan bloc—which historically carries three million votes—will likewise push for the endorsement of Robredo and her running mate Pangilinan for the country’s top two posts.
“It is a huge honor for me to be chosen as one of the senatorial candidates of 1Sambayan,” he said in a speech. “I will not let you down. With your support, we can become a true voice for the marginalized in the Senate.”
“It has been a long journey since I first started talked with (the 1Sambayan convenors) on the need to forge a broad united front for the 2022 elections,” he added. “Now, one week before the official campaign period, I am happy to see my efforts bearing fruit.”
Colmenares is one of the two Left candidates—the other being labor leader and lawyer Sonny Matula—endorsed by 1Sambayan.
He however is the only one not on Robredo’s official Magic 12, which was taken up by guest senatoriables which she shares with other presidential candidates.
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