Opposition coalition 1Sambayan is confident that the Liberal Party (LP) and Aksyon Demokratiko will “come together” in a bid to form a unified slate against the candidates of the Duterte administration in next year’s polls.
Lawyer Howard Calleja, one of the coalition’s convenors, said on Wednesday, August 18, that 1Sambayan is continuously communicating with the two parties, as well as with their leading candidates—Vice President Leni Robredo and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
“Iyong pulitika (politics) would have its proper time, that’s why we gave them time. We gave proper time for both to discern and maybe in a certain point in time, I know and I’m sure both parties, both groups, will all come together in a unified force against the Duterte administration,” he said during a virtual media forum.
Father Albert Alejo, SJ said that Robredo has only met with a small group from 1Sambayan. They are set to schedule a meeting between Robredo and the convenors group.
READ: 1Sambayan to meet with Robredo on exploratory talks with 2022 bets
Sonia Roco, the wife of the late statesman Raul Roco and Aksyon Demokratiko co-founder, confirmed that her party is aligned with the goals of 1Sambayan.
“We will keep our communication lines open but the mere fact (that) I’m here with you, I’m Aksyon, also in a way a part of it. I share a lot of what your plans are for the country,” she told the convenors in the forum.
“Tama naman po (It’s right) we share the same ideals with Sonia, and of course with Aksyon, for a unified democratic forces for the Philippines,” Calleja added.
READ: 1Sambayan hopes ‘unity’ among nominees to beat Duterte’s bet in 2022
Former senator Bam Aquino said that despite Robredo’s coalition building efforts of meeting other possible 2022 bets, she is still “a part of the process” of 1Sambayan.
“Gusto ko lang ho sigurong banggitin rin maraming mga initiatives na pagbuklod-buklurin ‘yung iba’t-ibang mga kandidato na (I just want to mention there are many initiatives to unify the different candidates) in parallel to, in support of, in spite of 1Sambayan,” he said.
“Rather than looking at it negatively, I think we should look at it positively na (that) slowly people are starting to come out and create these different groups and really try engage,” Aquino added.
All of these groups, the former senator stressed, have the same goals—to change the country’s leadership.
The unification initiatives Aquino mentioned included Robredo’s meetings with Senators Richard Gordon, Manny Pacquiao, Panfilo Lacson, and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, which were met with criticism by 1Sambayan nominee former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
READ: Robredo in ‘exploratory talks’ with other potential bets
“I think that it (initiative) is in line with the goals and the objectives of 1Sambayan. It may not be exactly the same process pero (but) in parallel, nangyayari po ito (this is happening),” Aquino said.
Alejo, for his part, said that 1Sambayan respects this process that Robredo is making on her own because she is, after all, a chairperson of LP.
They are hoping that these talks will come together in the end because the vice president, as well as Aquino, her partymate, are part of their dialogue.
“I think the objectives are all there. I think the call is not who will lead us but really, at this moment, is a unified front with a unified leader,” Calleja said.
Despite not yet announcing their political plans, Robredo’s and Moreno’s names are being floated as possible presidential candidates.