Carpio: 1Sambayan may choose between Isko, Trillanes if Robredo declines nomination

1Sambayan may settle for either Manila Mayor Isko Moreno or former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV should Vice President Leni Robredo decline to run for president in the May 2022 elections under the opposition coalition.

Interviewed during the Friday News Forum, 1Sambayan lead convenor and retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio said Moreno and Trillanes were the two other personalities who agreed to undergo the selection process.

“Theoretically, ‘pag ayaw ni Leni [if Leni declines], we go down to the other two,” Carpio said.

Carpio, however, remained hopeful that Robredo will accept the endorsement and join the presidential race.

“Theoretically, she can say no [to the nomination]. But judging from what she has been saying, sabi niya, ‘Lalaban ako just to stop another Duterte administration, lalaban ako just to stop the Marcoses from getting back to Malacañang’,” Carpio said.

(Theoretically, she can say no [to the nomination]. But judging from what she has been saying, she said she is going to fight to stop another Duterte administration and the Marcoses from getting back to Malacañang.)

“Of course, I cannot say for certain, but I think I am confident that she will decide correctly, that she will accept the challenge, although that’s from my personal point of view,” he added.

Carpio said Robredo was the “overwhelming” choice for the presidential nomination.

Robredo reiterated on Thursday that the presidency carries a huge responsibility. She said deciding whether to run for president should not be based on ambition or the insistence of some people.

The filing of certificates of candidacy for national positions began on Friday and will end on October 8.

Trillanes has earlier said he would run for president should Robredo fail to make a decision by October 8. Moreno, on the other hand, has already announced his presidential bid in 2022. 

Meanwhile, some member-organizations of the 1Sambayan expressed concern that the bid to have a common opposition candidate could be hampered by the its endorsement of Robredo.

"We are concerned that 1Sambayan's role in contributing to unification will be hampered by the perception that it has sealed support for a particular candidate," said the organizations which include the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Tanggol Magsasaka, National Union of Student of the Philippines, Youth Act Now Against Tyranny, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Promotion of Church People’s Response, Health Alliance for Democracy, and Katribu.

"In a situation that remains very fluid, all efforts at forging a single unified slate should be exhausted and all options should remain open," the groups said in a statement.  --with a report from Richa Noriega/KBK/NB, GMA News