Opposition coalition 1Sambayan on Thursday, September 30, officially nominated and endorsed the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo for president in the upcoming elections.
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, lead convenor of 1Sambayan, said Robredo won the majority of votes in 1Sambayan's general assembly.
She also got the majority when convenors conducted the Pulso ng 1Sambayan, an internal survey for its members to help choose who among their nominees should be their candidate for the presidency.
“1Sambayan is pleased to announce to the nation that it has reached a decision to endorse Vice President Leni Robredo for the May 2022 elections,” Carpio, 1Sambayan’s chairman, said in a virtual media briefing.
“We have chosen VP Leni. We, therefore, ask VP Leni to accept our endorsement and to lead the Filipino people in these difficult times in our history,” he added.
READ: Robredo to have 'all out’ support from opposition if she runs for president—Trillanes
The retired magistrate said that the coalition based their nomination on several criteria, including integrity, competence, track record, patriotism, vision for the country, and winnability.
“1Sambayan followed a rigorous process in reaching its decision. We consulted our local and foreign chapters, as well as our coalition partners who, together, reach 3 million members,” Carpio said.
He appealed to the Filipinos to support Robredo as the next president who will “heal our nation,” generate employment, eliminate hunger, end the wanton killings of fellow Filipinos, strengthen the democratic institutions, uphold civil liberties, and restore the pride and dignity of the people.
Carpio earlier explained the group’s presidential nominee doesn’t have to announce his/her candidacy before the planned Sept. 30 announcement since “it’s a separate process for us.”
Prior to the 1Sambayan announcement, former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr., the Liberal Party’s vice president for internal affairs, already hinted that the coalition has chosen Robredo, LP’s chairman and the leader of the opposition.
“1Sambayan to endorse VP Leni today. Bagong balita sa aming mga naghihintay. Malapit na (The latest news for us waiting. It is near),” he said in an earlier tweet.
1Sambayan was formed with the goal of unifying the anti-administration forces in the wake of the Duterte administration’s failed COVID-19 response.
Robredo has yet to decide if she will join the presidential race next year as she is intent on unifying the opposition.
READ: Robredo says, ‘I leave it all to God’, as she ponders decision on running for president
She earlier said she is giving herself until Oct. 8, the last day of the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC), to decide.