Former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo has rejected calls for her to run for president in 2028, telling people to stop looking for a “savior” in politics. Opposition forces should pause and think about her point of view.

They should also be honest about the possible alliances and coalitions in 2028. For if in 2022, the Marcos-Duterte Uniteam alliance proved to be unstoppable, what constellation of forces is the opposition ready to assemble or work with in 2028? Would the opposition seek President Marcos’ endorsement? How would this be explained after years of promoting the grand narrative of opposing Marcosian restoration? Would the opposition also seek the endorsement of the Iglesia ni Cristo?

President Marcos may also field his own candidate to succeed him. Nothing stops him from doing so, and he may find no incentive to rely on the opposition to produce a strong candidate.

The political fortunes of the Duterte dynasty have changed drastically. Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested, detained, and now faces a full-blown trial at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. This is a signal achievement for accountability.

Making Duterte face trial was once thought to be impossible.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte looks set to be impeached by the House, and face trial in the Senate. The revelations in the House preliminary investigation show that the vice president has a lot of wealth to explain.

The place of the Philippines in the region, and our natural resources, have also made us a target of foreign influence. We must resist any attempt by foreign powers to help install their favored candidates, and expose such candidates that may be working against the national interest of the Philippines.

Robredo’s refusal to be dragged into the 2028 race is helpful insofar as she forces the opposition to explore other options. But more importantly, her stand against “savior” politics is refreshingly anti-traditional politics. Politics cannot simply be about personality. Politics must present solutions to the country’s many problems.

We must press politicians to take a stand on the Oil Deregulation Law and EPIRA, the privatization of water services, public healthcare and PhilHealth, Endo and 5-5-5, the family living wage, the mass transport system, the West Philippine Sea, flood control and other infrastructure, the problems with Philippine education, the government’s addiction to indirect taxes, the collapse of Philippine agriculture, food insecurity, the protection of the environment, and other real life concerns of people.

Our problems are too many that it would require not just one candidate for president. We must also field 12 new senators, and a new House. Local governments too, from provincial capitols to municipal governments. All told, we need candidates for around 18,000 positions at stake in 2028. Hopefully, with a progressive, radical vision and program of government that would give people hope and a reason to fight on.

Robredo in Naga, Vico Sotto in Pasig, and Joy Belmonte in Quezon City give people some measure of hope that producing and electing good candidates with a compelling vision is possible. We need thousands more like them.

As we approach the 2028 elections, may Robredo’s point of view inform and elevate the politics of the opposition and mobilize people to compel the opposition to shape up and be the force of change.

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Register to vote in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Check the Comelec and local Comelec Facebook Pages for schedules of voter registration. Just bring a valid government ID. Avail of the convenient Special Register Anywhere/Anytime Program. Last day of registration is on May 18.