CEBU CITY -- A sectoral group has withdrawn its support from Manila Mayor Isko Moreno in favor of Vice President Leni Robredo.
Ikaw Muna (IM) Pilipinas Visayas head Nick Malazarte said they decided to drop Moreno in favor of Robredo as current surveys showed that the presidential race is shaping up to be a two-cornered fight between the Vice President and former Senator Bongbong Marcos.
“We have no problem internally in our campaign but we are not doing well in surveys despite the efforts that we have done,” Malazarte said in a press conference on Monday.
Malazarte said shifting support to Robredo is the only way to prevent the Marcoses from returning to power.
“Our primordial concern is that there is a clear and imminent danger of Marcoses getting back to power. Our only vehicle to stop their resurgence is through VP Leni,” said Malazarte.
Malazarte disclosed that IM Pilipinas was formed in November to convince Moreno to run for President.
In Cebu alone, IM Pilipinas has at least 2,000 members.
When Moreno finally decided to run for president, IM Pilipinas started campaigning at the grassroots level, said Malazarte.
“Sadly, Moreno’s ranking in surveys did not pick up,” Malazarte said.
While he is only the head of the IM Visayas, Malazarte said that there is a consensus among all chapters that the group is now backing Robredo.
IM Pilipinas has previously pushed for a Moreno-Sara Duterte tandem but the group has yet to discuss whether it will continue to support the presidential daughter, Malazarte said.
Malazarte also called on other presidential candidates to rally behind Robredo.
“I am calling on the Senators (Ping) Lacson and (Manny) Pacquiao, because I believe they are also against Marcos, to rethink because we have limited time,” said Malazarte.