Opposition coalition 1Sambayan, which supports the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, has formally named eight senatorial candidates it will endorse in the May 2022 elections.
In an online proclamation event on late Friday night, Jan. 28, 1Sambayan and its volunteer arm 1Sambayan Volunteers declared their support to former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Leila De Lima, former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr., human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Visayan lawyer Alex Lacson, labor lawyer Sonny Matula, and former Congressman Neri Colmenares.
Former Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio, the lead convenor of 1Sambayan, said more senatorial bets would be added in the list, depending on their declarations of support to the Robredo and Pangilinan tandem.
"We will add to this initial list of 8 as we receive the public declarations of support to the Leni-Kiko ticket from the other senatorial candidates who would then be included in our list," Carpio said.
During the proclamation, the 1Sambayan senatorial slate also delivered their respective messages as they received the support of the coalition.
In his speech, Trillanes said, if elected, will continue with his advocacy against corruption and peace and order advocacy to strengthen the military in its protection of the West Philippine Sea. The former senator will also push for the reform of the Philippine National Police.
Hontiveros, for her part, said that Filipinos deserve leaders who represent the true values of Filipinos while De Lima said the country needs a leader who has a great track record in public service, has true accomplishments, and will not only make promises to the nation.
"Ang kailangan natin ay leader na kapag binigyan ng mandato ay hindi mang-aabuso, hindi nanakawan ang taumbayan, magtatrabaho para sa ekonomiya at panlipunang serbisyo at palalakasin ang grassroot at civil society, higit sa lahat, pasisiglahin muli ang demokrasya sa bansa (We need leaders who will not abuse and steal from the people when given the mandate, who will work for the economy, public service, and who will boost the grassroot and civil society, and above all who will strengthen the democracy in the country)," De Lima said.
Diokno also reiterated his call to give the law "more teeth" to hold erring government officials responsible.
Baguilat, on the other hand, did not deliver a message but a video detailing his advocacy and platforms was played. His advocacy include the rights of mothers, children, LGBTQIA community, PWDs, senior citizens, people living with AIDS, and seafarers, good governance and transparency; programs on agri-aqua development and organic agriculture, among others.
Lacson, for his part, said that he is running for senator because he wants to reform the political setting in the country. He also wants to help in achieving the Filipinos' dreams and in finding solutions for the problems of the youth and poor families in the society "like the family that I came from."
Matula, if elected, will push for the end of contractualization and advocates for a decent job for all.
Colmenares, who completed the eight-man slate of 1Sambayan, said he will be the voice of ordinary Filipinos in the Senate. If elected, he said he will prioritize the crafting of a free healthcare law to make hospitalization free in all public hospitals. He will also push for the end of contractualization and bat for a national minimum wage and a genuine agrarian reform law.
The aspiring senators also expressed their support to the tandem of Robredo and Pangilinan, saying they are the leaders that the country needs now.
During the "star-studded" proclamation event, 1Sambayan also formally launched its campaign for the Leni-Kiko tandem.
Robredo graced the event and delivered a brief message thanking the coalition for its support to her candidacy and in providing them a platform to unite.
The aspiring President recognized that members of the ticket have differences in beliefs and advocacy but their identical dream and love for the country made them one.
"May mga pagkakataon na nagkakaiba ang mga pananaw natin pero mas madalas na malinaw ang pagkakahanay natin at sa lahat ng pagkakataon bukas at mainit ang ugnayan natin, handa lagi tayong makinig at mag-usap bilang kapwa nagmamahal sa bansang Pilipinas (There are times that we differ in beliefs but there are more times when we are clear with our connection and in all times, we are open and warm, ready to listen and communicate as countrymen who love the Philippines)," Robredo said.
"The choice we make will determine the course that our country will take in the next six years," she added.