Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo's senatorial slate for the May 2022 polls is now complete after Federation of Free Workers President Sonny Matula was named as the opposition's 12th candidate.
Robredo made the announcement Friday, Oct. 22, a week after she named the first 11 candidates under her senatorial ticket.
"Maraming naging konsiderasyon. Pinakinggan natin ang lahat ng mga agam-agam. Pinag-usapan ang kakayahan at kasaysayan ng bawat isa sa mga lumapit upang ialok ang sarili bilang kahanay. Kinailangang suriin ang pagkabuo ng loob nilang makiisa sa ating misyon (There were a lot of consideration. We listened to all thoughts. We discussed the ability and history of every personalities who presented themselves to be one of us. We had to look into their willingness to unite with us in our mission)," Robredo said as she explained the choice of Matula who belongs to the Labor Party Philippines.
Last week, the opposition leader said they want someone who could capably represent the marginalized sector to be the 12th candidate under her senatorial ticket.
Robredo believes that Matula is the one they are looking for as he is someone who "has a clear track record" in fighting for the rights of Filipino laborers.
"Humarap siya sa mga malalaking korporasyon, na ang tanging sandata ay paninindigan at husay sa abogasya. Isinusulong niya ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa—isang adbokasiya na matagal na rin nating ipinaglalaban bago pa man ako pumasok sa pulitika (He faced big corporations with only his firm stance and capabilities as a lawyer as his weapon. He fought for the rights of the workers--an advocacy that we have been pushing for before I even entered politics)," Robredo said.
Matula joins Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Leila de Lima, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel 'Chel' Diokno, former Ifugao representative Teddy Baguilat Jr., lawyer Alex Lacson of Kapatiran Party, Senator Richard Gordon, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Senator Joel Villanueva, and former Vice President Jejomar Binay in Robredo's senatorial ticket.
While the opposition's senatorial slate is a mix of allies, former vice president and senators, including some rivals-turned-allies, Robredo believes that this ticket is consistent with her vision to unify as many people as possible.
Robredo's running mate is Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan.