Organizations in the urban poor and social housing sector are set to launch "LENI Urban Poor" (LENI UP) coalition of federations and movements of community associations in support of Vice President Leni Robredo's bid for the presidency.

In a statement, the group, comprised of more than 500 member-families of community associations from resettlement sites of the National Housing Authority (NHA), will formally launch the coalition on Monday, August 2.

In its manifesto, LENI UP wrote that of the political leaders, Robredo had the clearest understanding of the problems of the common people.

"She is most determined in responding to them. Hence, we directly and explicitly declare that Leni should run for President and be President of the country," it said.

Alice Murphy, an organizing leader of LENI UP, said the group supports the Vice President's efforts to build broad opposition unity.

"Only Leni has a clear understanding of the political situation, which is based on reality, not on illusions," she said.

"We agree with Leni that more than anything, it is important to build a united opposition with only one presidential candidate. Like Leni, we believe this is the only way for democratic forces to succeed,” she added.

The group said signatures to the manifesto from 1,000 community leaders were still being gathered as of Saturday, July 31.

Aside from various federations and movements of more than 500 urban poor community associations, non-government organizations concerned with social housing also form part of the LENI UP coalition.

Vice President Robredo has yet to make a decision if she will run for president in the 2022 elections or not. She, however, stood firm that the opposition should be united and field only one candidate to stand a chance against the administration's bet.