By Genalyn Kabiling
The administration is unfazed by the planned formation of a “resistance" coalition by the opposition bloc in the 2019 elections.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo (Manila Bulletin file photo)
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said the political opposition was free to create a coalition for next year's polls but should also brace for possible defeat.
Panelo expressed confidence that the President's endorsement remained potent to ensure the victory of the administration candidates.
"There is nothing new there.They’ve been resisting this administration. They can always try. They can always fail. They will always try to repeat where they have failed. They are welcome,” Panelo said about the opposition coalition during an interview with reporters in Malacañang.
"The President’s endorsement would vastly help in the winning of the senatorial candidates,” he added.
Asked about the chances of reelectionists who might join the administration ticket, Panelo said: "If they are endorsed by the President, I am sure it will help a lot."
The political opposition will reportedly create the "The Resistance" and field candidates in the senatorial and local polls.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party, believed there should be a strong opposition to resist the slide to authoritarian and anti-democratic rule. "Democracy demands dissent. We need a strong opposition to ensure that our democracy remains vibrant," he said.