"Despite the pandemic, we will campaign hard as we have never campaigned before."
1Sambayan lead convenor Antonio Carpio made this vow during the online proclamation for the opposition coalition's senatorial slate on Friday night, Jan. 28, wherein a donation drive for campaign funds that ran alongside the event amassed at least P2,885,000.
"We, in the 1Sambayan pledge, to campaign with all our might for all our candidates. We see the May 2022 elections as the battle for the whole nation, a battle to prevent the return of the dark past or we move forward to a bright future," Carpio said in his closing speech during the 3-hour and 40-minute event.
The coalition formally announced that it will back the senatorial bids of former Senator Antionio 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 human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares.
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The proclamation also marked 1Sambayan's formal backing of the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, which came as no surprise.
The former Supreme Court (SC) associate justice stressed that 1Sambayan will "fight with all their might" like they have "never fought before."
"Despite the pandemic, we will campaign hard as we have never campaigned before. We will fight with all our might as we have never fought before. This is the fight of our life, for the benefit of our beloved country, our fellow Filipinos, our families, and our children and grand children," Carpio declared.
Carpio also noted that they will add to the initial list of eight senatorial candidates based on the public declarations of support that the Leni-Kiko ticket will receive from other senatorial candidates.
During the "star-studded" event, various personalities and artists declared their support to the Leni-Kiko tandem. Local music industry legends Ogie Alcasid and Ryan Cayabyab headlined the performers.
Stand-up comic Alex Calleja, who served as the host, gave periodic updates on the accumulated cash donations from volunteers throughout the evening.
Other star performers and guests include Dan Billano, Noel Cabangon, Cookie Chua, The Company, Nica del Rosario, Frenchie Dy, Dianne Espinosa, Bobby Garovilla, Audie Gemora, Jeli Mateo, Agat, Melvin, Agel Mor Morallos, Bayang Barrios Villegas, Jim Paredes, Justine Peña, Penelope, and Mitch Valdez.