Tindig Pilipinas shows force with ‘asset’ Sereno

A "growing" opposition to President Rodrigo Duterte's administration showed force on Tuesday with a gathering that featured unseated Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, whom it considers an "asset" even before her ouster is final and her Senate run confirmed.

Tindig Pilipinas, a coalition which enjoys the high-profile membership of Senators Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Risa Hontiveros, held a general assembly at the University of the Philippines, attended by hundreds of allies who cheered on anti-Duterte policy pronouncements.

Sereno was the assembly's "inspirational" speaker, and in her message, she urged the member organizations of Tindig Pilipinas to go beyond their differences, considering their mandate for the nation "regardless of our past shortcomings."

“Men and women of Tindig Pilipinas, fix your eyes on the prize. Many issues may just serve to divert you, to dissipate your resources, your time and your energy. Analyze what is at stake, what is at stake must be such a huge huge price that we are now experiencing such terrible times," she said in her speech.

"In the end, my friends, I ask that we rise above our differences. Those of us who have been fighting for freedom, we know some of them and we have all heard each other, we know that there are devices intended to make us fight and forget that democracy is at peril. We must summon whatever moral courage we have so that we can trust to the extent that it is wise, each other, so we can continue this fight," she added.

When asked if her appearance at the event was a "sign of things to come," Sereno said she was just "invited." She entertained no further questions from the media after her speech.

The ousted top judge has earlier said there was no formal offer from the opposition for her to join its senatorial slate for next year's polls, though Aquino has reportedly said Sereno ought to join their team should she decide to run.

Sereno is still awaiting the Supreme Court's (SC) resolution of her appeal against her landmark ouster last month.

Hontiveros, former Akbayan representative, said Sereno was an "asset" to the opposition even at present, owing to her "unconstitutional" removal from the SC.

"'Yung presensya ngayong araw sa Tindig Pilipinas ay isa pang pinaghuhugutan ng lakas ng loob at pag-asa sa mga susunod pa na taon ng laban," she told reporters in an interview after the assembly.

Vice President Leni Robredo, on the other hand, was a "moving spirit" in the opposition, Hontiveros said.

No strong opposition?

Asked to respond to criticism that there was no strong opposition, Hontiveros acknowledged "mistakes" and "shortcomings" but claimed the mere fact that Tindig Pilipinas could convene a general assembly was a sign of commitment to strengthen its movement.

"Ang mensahe ng general assembly ng Tindig Pilipinas na binubuo ng iba't ibang mga partido at mas marami pang civil society organizations ay dapat bigyan talaga ng mukha, tinig, pangalan, mga katawan yung sinasabi po naming buhay at lumalakas at lumalawak na oposisyon dito sa ating bayan," she said.

The opposition has named six senatorial candidates as part of the "Resistance Coalition" for next year's polls: Aquino, former Quezon Representative Erin Tañada, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman Chel Diokno, Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano, and former Akbayan party-list Representative Barry Gutierrez.

On Tuesday, Hontiveros said the opposition is still scouting for individuals to complete its slate, but said opening their team to their left-leaning counterparts remains a "live issue."

"Right now kasi 'yung isang pundamental na isyu na tinitingnan ng Tindig Pilipinas ay 'yung buong loob at walang pasubaling pagtutol sa administrasyon," she said when asked if the Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives was among the groups it was considering to link up with.

"So I suppose that does mean na live issue na nasa oposisyon, pero may matataas na kasama sa administrasyon pa rin. In the coming months, patuloy na mananatiling isyu yan maliban kung ireresolba 'yun ng kinauukulang hanay," she added. — BM, GMA News