1Sambayan confident opposition will rally behind one presidential candidate in Eleksyon 2022

A convenor of 1Sambayan expressed confidence Wednesday that opposition forces will unite behind one presidential candidate for the 2022 national elections, saying  the group is committed to coalition building and is no elitist.

Lawyer Howard Calleja made the assertion three days before their group unveils its prospective candidates for the 2022 polls to get the public's feedback on who should carry the opposition banner and which issues should be urgently addressed by the said candidate.

Calleja said that they already touched base with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Grace Poe, and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

"People will be surprised. We have the formula, we trust the system, we trust the process that these personalities will unite. In our conversations, personal interests can be set aside towards the bigger interest, that is of the nation and of the people, and that resonated to all candidates we have talked to," he said in an ANC interview.

"We are a broad coalition. We are not elitist. In fact, our convenors are now 24, including representatives from urban poor, labor, farmers, OFWs, all spectrum," he added.

Calleja also shrugged off criticisms that their group is holier than thou, saying their coalition never promised perfection.

"We are not saying we are perfect. What we are is presenting a better alternative and a better platform for recovery not only from the pandemic but the recovery of the Philippine society as well," he said.

"What is clear is this administration is bad. In fact, it is super bad. We are not saying we are good. What we are saying is that there is nothing perfect, but we are giving the Filipinos a better alternative than what we have today," he added.

Calleja then said that espousing democratic principles, respect for the Constitution and rule of law, and upholding sovereignty and sovereign rights can bring a lot of people under one umbrella.

"We are confident to say that the dream of having one candidate [for the opposition] in 2022 is more possible now than a year ago," he said.

"Secretary Roque said our voice is as good as one barangay. Yes, we started small but we are confident and we are growing. By election time,  our voice will be good for thousands of barangays and millions of Filipinos. We will have a united front in 2022 and we will win by majority, not just by plurality," he added.

Roque is President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesperson.—AOL, GMA News