By Raymund Antonio
Vice President Leni Robredo is giving her lead counsel Romulo Macalintal full backing, in case he decides to run for senator under the opposition coalition in next year’s midterm elections.
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Atty. Romulo Macalintal during a press conference Wednesday.
(Kevin Tristan Espiritu / MANILA BULLETIN) Macalintal, a veteran election lawyer, is in the initial list of 18 personalities being considered by the opposition for its senatorial slate in the 2019 polls. He is representing Robredo in the election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against her. “Ako kasi, iyong pagkuha namin sa kaniya, (For me, when we got him, that was a vote of confidence already,” Robredo said when asked by reporters if she would support Macalintal on his possible Senate candidacy. “Lahat naman na lawyers na kasama namin sa lamesa na ito, alam namin kung gaano kahirap ang mga Marcoses, so talagang pipiliin din iyong the best, na siguradong ipapakipaglaban iyong katotohanan,” she said. (All of the lawyers who are with us on this table, we know how hard to fight the Marcoses so we will really choose the best who will surely fight for the truth.) Robredo, leader of the opposition, believes that Macalintal was “very deserving” to seek a Senate seat. The opposition Liberal Party, of which Robredo is chair, has officially announced its initial three senatorial candidates, who will run for next year’s elections. They were re-electionist Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, and former Quezon Representative Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III. Macalintal, however, has yet to make a final decision on whether he will join them in the opposition Senate slate. “I’m glad that my name is included in the list of those possible nominees in the coalition of opposition parties. And I’m considering it,” the election lawyer told reporters. “And if given the chance, I will also try entering in politics. Sabi nga, eh, I had been assisting politicians winning the elections, perhaps I could try if I could apply it to myself,” he added. “But until now I don’t have a final decision yet. In the event that I really decide to run and file my certificate of candidacy, all I ask of you is: save your last vote for me,” Macalintal said, eliciting laughter from the media.
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Atty. Romulo Macalintal during a press conference Wednesday.(Kevin Tristan Espiritu / MANILA BULLETIN) Macalintal, a veteran election lawyer, is in the initial list of 18 personalities being considered by the opposition for its senatorial slate in the 2019 polls. He is representing Robredo in the election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against her. “Ako kasi, iyong pagkuha namin sa kaniya, (For me, when we got him, that was a vote of confidence already,” Robredo said when asked by reporters if she would support Macalintal on his possible Senate candidacy. “Lahat naman na lawyers na kasama namin sa lamesa na ito, alam namin kung gaano kahirap ang mga Marcoses, so talagang pipiliin din iyong the best, na siguradong ipapakipaglaban iyong katotohanan,” she said. (All of the lawyers who are with us on this table, we know how hard to fight the Marcoses so we will really choose the best who will surely fight for the truth.) Robredo, leader of the opposition, believes that Macalintal was “very deserving” to seek a Senate seat. The opposition Liberal Party, of which Robredo is chair, has officially announced its initial three senatorial candidates, who will run for next year’s elections. They were re-electionist Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, and former Quezon Representative Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III. Macalintal, however, has yet to make a final decision on whether he will join them in the opposition Senate slate. “I’m glad that my name is included in the list of those possible nominees in the coalition of opposition parties. And I’m considering it,” the election lawyer told reporters. “And if given the chance, I will also try entering in politics. Sabi nga, eh, I had been assisting politicians winning the elections, perhaps I could try if I could apply it to myself,” he added. “But until now I don’t have a final decision yet. In the event that I really decide to run and file my certificate of candidacy, all I ask of you is: save your last vote for me,” Macalintal said, eliciting laughter from the media.