Trillanes vies for 1Sambayan nomination for president, says Robredo may run for CamSur gov

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Wednesday he would seek the presidency in 2022 following reports that opposition leader Vice President Leni Robredo might run for governor of Camarines Sur.

In a statement, Trillanes said his Magdalo group changed his status from being an alternate candidate to Robredo to being a principal candidate for presidency, adding the Vice President reportedly transferred her residence in preparation for the gubernatorial race.

He said the change in status would allow him to vie for the presidential nomination of the 1Sambayan coalition, which is composed of anti-administration forces.

“Just to further stress this point, in the event that VP Leni definitely decides to run for president before 1Sambayan picks its nominees in July, I would wholeheartedly step aside and withdraw my own candidacy in her favor,” Trillanes said as he underscored the importance of having a united opposition.

In view of VP Leni's preparations to run for Governor of Camarines Sur in 2022, I, together with the Magdalo group, have decided to convey to the 1SAMBAYAN Coalition to change my status from being an alternate candidate (to VP Leni) to being a principal candidate for President... pic.twitter.com/g9MIKDlzum

— Sonny Trillanes IV (@TrillanesSonny) May 12, 2021

He also claimed that the country would not survive “another six years of a Duterte rule.”

“In just five years, Duterte has been able to destroy our institutions, bankrupted the economy, worsened poverty and corruption, surrendered our interests in the West Philippine Sea, and promoted incompetence in public service. Worst of all, he made our people accept killings, immorality, indecency, and vulgarity as the new societal norm,” Trillanes said.

Trillanes ran for vice president in the 2016 election but lost to Robredo.

Robredo said in February that she was open to running for president although she preferred to run for local office.

She recently registered for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) in Magarao, Camarines Sur, fueling speculation that she might run for governor of her home province.

However, former representative Teodoro Baguilat Jr., Liberal Party vice chairperson, said Robredo is still interested in running for president and they are "working 24/7 organizing the machinery if not to prepare for that."

VP Leni I repeat has not changed her position and is still open to a 2022 presidential run. Linggo linggo, we establish chapters preparing for 2022. Linggo linggo, kausap namin ang Magdalo kaya alam nila posisyan ni MamLeni. We continue to work for a United front

— Teddy B. Baguilat (@TeddyBaguilatJr) May 12, 2021

He further said the Vice President is not doing any preparation to run for governor.

Lawyer Barry Gutierrez, Robredo's spokesperson, confirmed that the Vice President is not preparing to run for a local office but she is open to all options.

“She (Robredo) has not made a decision regarding the 2022 elections, and there is absolutely no truth to the claim that she is making “preparations” to run for Governor of Camarines Sur,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

“This is not a time for politicking, but for working for the people’s welfare. She remains open to all options, including a possible candidacy for President, and at the appropriate time, she will personally convey her decision on this matter,” he further said.—AOL, GMA News