Despite no commitment yet from Vice President Leni Robredo, opposition coalition 1Sambayan on Thursday, September 30, said it’s a “remote possibility” that she will reject their endorsement for her to run as president in the May 2022 polls.
Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice and 1Sambayan chairman Antonio Carpio said he hopes Robredo will accept the nomination, which the coalition made public through a virtual media conference.
“For us, that would be a remote possibility because she already said that she’s willing to save the country from plunder, from dictatorship. She is willing to accept the challenge,” he added in confidence.
In case Robredo, who has yet to make a decision about joining the presidential race, declines the nomination, Carpio said 1Sambayan would have to reconvene.
“Well, as I said we will reconvene and discuss that because that’s a new development, and we have not really looked into that because personally, I think it’s a very remote possibility that VP Leni will decline,” he stressed.
Shortly after the endorsement, Robredo released a statement thanking 1Sambayan and her supporters for the trust they have shown her in nominating her for the position.
READ: Robredo thanks 1Sambayan for nominating her for president; asks for prayers as she mulls decision
Carpio, a lead convenor of 1Sambayan, said they expect Robredo to announce her decision soon.
Although the coalition, which was formed to unite pro-democracy forces and beat the administration’s bets in next year’s polls, failed to get a consensus for Robredo’s endorsement, the retired magistrate said, “we decided by an overwhelming majority.”
Robredo is currently in Bicol but already received word that she was going to be endorsed by 1Sambayan.
Once the vice president decides to run for president, Carpio said she will be consulted on who the coalition will endorse as her runningmate and senatorial candidates.
“Well, as we have explained, the vice president and the senatorial candidates will be chosen in consultation with our presidential candidate because our presidential candidate is the lead in the unified ticket so we have to consult with her,” he explained.
READ: Robredo is 1Sambayan candidate for president in 2022 polls
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV reportedly topped 1Sambayan’s internal poll for vice president but Robredo has to be consulted first about her possible running mate.
The coalition already has a list they will submit to Robredo once they meet with her.
Carpio said he expects 1Sambayan to come up with a unified list of candidates before the end of the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on Friday, Oct. 8.
He’s hopeful that they can still come up with a unified slate despite Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao announcing their respective presidential bids.
“One of the reasons we decided to make our announcement now so that our voice can be heard also by the other candidates, that there is a big group of organizations that’s backing VP Leni. Perhaps, they can join us all,” he said.