Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, also a staunch supporter of Vice President Leni Robredo, welcomed her decision on Thursday, October 7, to join the presidential race in 2022, saying that the Magdalo Party will be behind her to ensure her victory.
“Nagbubunyi ang Magdalo sa desisyon ni VP Leni Robredo na pamunuan ang tunay na oposisyon sa 2022 elections sa pagtakbo bilang Presidente (The whole Magdalo is celebrating the decision of VP Leni Robredo to lead the true opposition in the 2022 elections as she runs for president),” Trillanes said in a Facebook post.
“Makakasama nya ang Magdalo para maipanalo ang laban na ‘to, at tuluyang iahon ang ating bansa mula sa pagkasirang ginawa ni Duterte (The Magdalo will be with her to win this fight, and to get the country out of the destruction that Duterte did),” he added.
READ: ‘Buong-buo ang loob ko’: Robredo announces bid for presidency
The former senator used the hashtag #LabanLeni2022, which, together with #DapatSiLeni and #LeniRobredo2022, have been trending on social media site Twitter since Thursday morning.
Trillanes has been vocal in his support of Robredo, but he also criticized her last month for continuing unity talks with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao, who he sees as enablers of the Duterte administration.
Trillanes, a foremost critic of the Duterte administration, planned to run as president but said he would back down if Robredo will seek the highest post.
READ: Robredo a 'sure winner' if she runs for president, says Trillanes
He also got the highest votes in the internal survey launched by opposition coalition 1Sambayan to come up with their presidential and vice presidential candidates, but the coalition said it’s up to Robredo, who they endorsed last week, to decide on her running mate.
It is believed Trillanes will seek another term as senator after Robredo announced her presidential bid. He will reportedly file his COC on Friday, Oct. 8.