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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Trillanes calls on VP Leni to decide on Palace bid now, or let Magdalo 'fill the gap'

Trillanes calls on VP Leni to decide on Palace bid now, or let Magdalo 'fill the gap'

Published Sep 23, 2021 10:56 am

Former Senator and Magdalo Group chairman Antonio Trillanes IV has called on Vice President Leni Robredo to immediately decide whether or not she is ready to represent the “real opposition” in the 2022 presidential race.

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV (File photo/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Trillanes made this appeal Thursday, Sept. 23 as he reckoned that the “unity talks” being pushed by the Vice President have been completely scrapped following the recent presidential announcements of Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

The former senator and Navy official noted that from the beginning, Lacson, Pacquiao, and Domagoso have already shown their determination to run for president even as he doubted if the trio really represented the real opposition in next year’s polls.

“Simula't sapul, talagang desidido naman silang tumakbong pagka-Presidente. Bukod pa rito, hindi naman sila tunay na oposisyon kahit papano pa natin baliktarin ito. Kung kaya't nananawagan na ang grupong Magdalo para sa agarang pagdedesisyon ni VP Leni ukol sa darating na 2022 elections (From the start, they were really determined to run for President. Besides, they are not the real opposition no matter how we figure it out. That’s why the Magdalo group is appealing for the Vice President’s immediate decision regarding the coming 2022 elections),” Trillanes said in a statement.

He recalled that in recent months, the entire opposition has allowed Robredo to go through her thorough decision-making process, something that he “respects and understands because we know how serious this decision is”.

With only a week left before the start of the fifiling of certificates of candidacy (COC), Trillanes said the Magdalo group believes that enough time has passed for Robredo to evaluate what is good for the country.

“Handang-handa na rin kaming mga pwersa ng oposisyon na nagkakaisa sa likod ni VP Leni para itulak ang kanyang kandidatura sa pagka-pangulo. Kumbinsido rin kami na mananalo si VP Leni sa pagkapangulo sa oras na ituloy nya ang kanyang pagtakbo (We, the opposition forces are united behind VP Leni and ready to push for her candidacy for the presidency. We are also convinced that VP Leni will win the presidency once she decides to push through with her candidacy),” he said.

In the event that Robredo decides not to thrown her hat in the presidential race, Trillanes assured the ranks of the real opposition in the country that the Magdalo group is “ready to fill the leadership gap”.

“Mahabang panahon na rin ang inilaan ng Magdalo sa patuloy na pakikipaglaban sa pangungurakot at pang-aabuso, at tunay na paninindigan para sa karapatan ng mamamayan. Hindi kami aatras sa hamong ito (Magdalo has already devoted a long time to the ongoing fight against corruption and abuse, and to truly stand up for the rights of the people. We will not back down from this challenge),” the former military rebel-turned politician said.

Trillanes maintained that it is now imperative for the Vice President to decide whether she intends to lead the real opposition by seeking the presidency herself, or to step aside and allow others to continue the fight toward real change.

“Kung handa na si VP Leni, ipapanalo natin siya. Kung hindi naman siya tutuloy, nakahanda ang Magdalo (If VP Leni is ready, we will make her win. If she is not pushing through, then Magdalo is ready),” he added.

Related Tags

magdalo group Sen. Panfilo Lacson 92321 Real Opposition Sen. Manny Pacquiao 2022 presidential elections Vice President Leni Robredo antonio trillanes iv Mayor Isko Moreno
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