A group of former student leaders from the University of the Philippines (UP) has joined the calls urging Vice President Leni Robredo to run for president in the 2022 elections.
In a statement, Nagkaisang Tugon, a group established in 1981, declared and proclaimed its choice of Robredo to be their presidential candidate in 2022.
The group expressed that Robredo was the right person to lead the nation as she possesses the qualities of a good leader the Philippines needs.
"Kami ay naniniwala at nagpapahayag na si Leni Robredo ang tawag ng panahon para mamuno ng bayan (We believe and express that Vice President Robredo is what the situation requires to lead the country)," the group declared.
JJ Soriano, lead convenor and co-founder of Nagkaisang Tugon and former Vice Chairman of the UP Student Council 1985-1986, said Robredo actively supported the group while she was taking up Economics at UP from 1982 to 1986.
"Kaya't nakita na natin na ang ikabububuti at ikauunlad ng ating bayan ang kanyang hangarin sa Makatao, Makabayan at Maka-Diyos na paraan (This is how we thought that she aspires to achieve the prosperous Philippines through a humane, patriotic, and God-fearing ways)," Soriano said.
Samasa Alumni Association, Inc., a former rival group of Nagkaisang Tugon, recently reaffirmed its commitment to rebuild an effective and efficient government with Robredo at the helm.
Samasa was also formed about 40 years ago to fight the Marcos dictatorship and helped end a regime that caused widespread poverty and misery among the Filipino people.
Vice President Robredo has yet to decide on her political plans for 2022. Her camp, however, said that running for President was still her first option.