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LP has no official stand yet on 1Sambayan but open to informal talks —Kiko


Liberal Party president and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Friday said politics should not be the priority right now but curbing the spike in COVID-19 infections.

At a virtual interview with reporters, Pangilinan said LP has no official stand yet regarding the newly formed coalition 1Sambayan and its call to  create a unified opposition ticket for the May 2022 elections.

However, the party is "open to informal talks," Pangilinan said.

"But I think in the end, and I've said this, given the rising cases of COVID, I would rather... we focus first on how to overcome the current problem of the COVID management and the spread," he added.

"We can talk politics maybe two, three months before the deadline of filing [of certificate of candidacy]... maybe July, August."

Pangilinan said this is also the sentiment of Vice President Leni Robredo, LP's chairperson.

"As president of the Liberal Party and this is also the concern of the Vice President, we have to focus immediately all our energy to try and figure out how to get out of this resurgence of the COVID virus," Pangilinan said.

Still, the opposition senator welcomed the effort of 1Sambayan, which is led by retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio, to create a slate that will run against the administration's candidates.

"We welcome all efforts to unite and I think all those groups and individuals and personalities, who feel that the country deserves better and believe that a different direction should be taken by our leaders, should endeavor to unite and come together," he said.

Some names, discussed by the newly-formed group, who could possibly run as president or vice president include Robredo, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe, and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

According to Carpio, 1Sambayan is open for suggestions and nominations from everyone on who will be included in their slate.

Solons laud 1Sambayan

Some progressive lawmakers from the House of Representatives, meanwhile, lauded the creation of the 1Sambayan.

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Ferdinand Gaite said it is necessary for the Makabayan Bloc to join and support 1Sambayan'a advocacy.

Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago, for her part, urged the youth to participate in the advocacy of the group.

"Our large number puts us in a very powerful position to shape the outcomes of the next election," Elago said.

"We must unite to register new voters, and aim for a hundred percent turnout to elect leaders who will stand for human rights, justice and national sovereignty," she added. —KBK, GMA News

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