Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo is viewing the possible alliance of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as being advantageous to the opposition ticket in the 2022 polls.
Facing the media in Batangas City, where she met local officials and her supporters, Robredo said that their camp has expected such a move and their plans will not change because these are not hinged on whoever they will face in the race.
“Siguro lalo lang made-define iyong lines. Mas lalong magiging klaro. Mas lalong magiging klaro iyong mga maglalaban-laban (May the lines will be more defined. It will be more clear. What we’re fighting for will become clearer),” she explained.
The possibility of facing the tandem of Duterte-Carpio and Marcos will be to the opposition’s advantage because that will clearly define their beliefs and their stands on issues, the vice president stressed.
Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan, who was with her during the visit and is her running mate in the 2022 polls, agreed that there will be “very, very clear lines” if the Dutertes and Marcoses will form an alliance.
The senator said that those who want to put an end to the current administration will need someone like Robredo to lead them.
He added that the Vice President has a clear COVID-19 response and economic recovery plan.
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“Kaya ni Vice President Leni na solusyonan iyong problema sa COVID kasama ang ating mga kababayan at solusyonan ang problema ng kawalan ng kita (Vice President Leni can solve the problem of COVID with our fellowmen and solve the problem of the loss of income). So iyon (there), very clear ang (the) lines,” Pangilinan said.
“If they want more of the same, gusto nila at naniniwala silang tama ang ginagawa ng administrasyon, doon sila sa mga kandidato ng administrasyon (if they like and believe that what the current administration is doing is right, then they should be there with the candidates of the administration),” he stated.
On Tuesday, Nov. 9, Duterte-Carpio withdrew her bid for reelection for Davao City mayor and nominated her brother, Sebastian Duterte, to take her place. Before that, the younger Duterte also withdrew his reelection as vice mayor.
This led to speculations that Duterte-Carpio, who repeatedly said she will not run for president, will seek a national post either as president or vice president to Marcos.
READ: Cusi: Sara to alter political landscape if she will run for higher post
For this to be possible, she has to be a sworn member of a national party she wants to substitute for.
With Senator Bong Go hinting at a possible withdrawal from the vice presidential race, this means the presidential daughter can either run under the ruling PDP-Laban or become a member of Lakas-CMD which has placeholders for both the presidential and vice presidential positions.