VP Leni firm on uniting opposition before October filing, assures ’Kapag nag-file ako, walang atrasan’

MANILA – (August 8, 2021) – Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday stood firm that the opposition must push for unity going into the 2022 presidential elections—and assured that she will be all-in for the presidency if she decides to run.

This after Senator Ping Lacson said last week that she “resisted” the “sure unification formula” that he offered during their initial talks.

Responding to Lacson’s claim in her weekly radio show, VP Leni revealed that the senator’s proposed “formula” demanded that all contenders engaged in these unification talks file their certificates of candidacy. Then, at a “certain time before the elections,” everyone else will withdraw to “support” the strongest candidate as dictated by survey ratings.

The Vice President said she pushed back against the idea because she did not want to lead supporters on, believing that the unification of opposition allies must happen before the October filing. She also underscored that in the event she declares her candidacy, she will be committed to see the race through.

“Simple iyong dahilan ko sa pagtutol doon sa proposal: Sa akin, kapag nag-file ako, kailangan kong ituloy ang laban. Kapag nag-file ako, hindi ako puwedeng umatras kahit gaano pa kahirap kasi pinresinta ko na iyong sarili ko sa publiko,” she said on BISErbisyong LENI.

With different factors at play, VP Leni’s decision-making process continues. Part of this has been reaching out to other potential contenders, in a bid to push for a united opposition before the filing of certificates of candidacy in October. The Vice President said she took it upon herself to initiate these talks, driven by a sense of duty as a key opposition figure.

Despite setbacks, the Vice President remains hopeful to find the “best formula” and build a broader base, in order to boost the opposition’s chances in next year’s polls.

However, engaging with other contenders will be put on hold during the Enhanced Community Quarantine, as she intends to give her complete focus to her office’s efforts to help address the COVID surge.

“May panahon pa naman para puliduhin ang mga engagements at usapan. May mga bagay na mas urgent kasi ECQ nga sa maraming lugar ngayon. Siyempre tuloy ang kalat ng Delta variant, whether magkasundo kami o hindi,” she said.

She added: “Pero pagpaalala din na iyong filing ng candidacy mga two months from now, and konektado din dito sa pandemic kung gaano kahalaga na magkaisa kami. Kasi pinapakita ng pandemic kung gaano kahalaga na mahusay iyong gobyerno niya. Kasi talagang matter of life and death para sa ating lahat kung iyong gobyerno niya hindi nakakapag-respond na mas maayos.” ###