Bam Aquino: Premature to say Robredo building alliances with other Eleksyon 2022 potential bets

It is premature to say that Vice President Leni Robredo is already forging alliances with other potential Eleksyon 2022 candidates, Liberal Party member and former Senator Bam Aquino said Friday.

“I think it’s premature to talk about any alliances. Pinaguusapan pa lang ano bang bansa ang gusto natin post-2022 at paano natin ito makukuha,” Aquino said in an ANC interview.

(We are just discussing about the Philippines that we want post-2022 and how we can achieve it.)

“We have to accept and we have to look at the reality in our country na iba-iba ang panig natin (that we have different sides), there have been issues na magkakaiba yung pananaw natin (where we have different perspectives), we might agreed on some points, we might disagreed on other points but what we can agree on is we need change in this country na kailangan nating magtulungan (and we need to work together),” he added.

Aquino made the remark after Senators Panfilo Lacson and Richard Gordon disclosed that they discussed the upcoming elections with Robredo in separate meetings.

Aquino was among the politicians present in Robredo’s meeting with Lacson.

Lacson has already announced his 2022 presidential bid last week.

Robredo’s meetings with the two senators did not sit well with former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, claiming that the Vice President had declined his invitations to discuss their plans for the 2022 elections.

Trillanes had also assumed that the Robredo is “giving way” for Lacson’s presidential bid, warning her that he and the Magdalo Group won’t join an alliance that will support the senator’s presidency.

Responding to Trillanes’ statements, Aquino denied that the Robredo is supporting another person.

“Wala pa tayo diyan (We’re not there yet). In fact, the VP is very clear na if she is in the best position na many of us supporters of her of course are doing our best to put her in the best position to compete in 2022, she will take on that role,” he said.

Aquino also underscored that there’s nothing wrong with Robredo doing exploratory talks with other politicians and even with religious leaders, businessmen, and the non-governmental organizations.

“Hindi naman masamang makipag-usap unang una sa lahat, pangalawa bago mabuo ang ano mang alyansa syempre kailangan munang pag-usapan ano ba ang batayan ng ating samahan. Ano ba ang batayan ng ating posibleng pakikipagtulungan. These things will not happen kung hindi naguusap-usap ang mga tao,” he explained.

(It is not wrong to hold discussions with other politicians. Before an alliance can be made, there should be discussions on the basis of our relationship and the basis of our possible coalition. These things will not happen if people are not talking to each other.)

The Liberal Party’s 2022 preparations is focused on building the broadest coalition possible and rallying behind one candidate who can go against the administration’s bet.

As part of this goal, LP president and Senator Francis Pangilinan earlier disclosed that they are reaching out to Lacson, Senators Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for next year’s elections.

Robredo earlier urged supporters of the opposition to be inclusive to achieve unity before the national and local elections. 

Won’t run in 2022

In the same interview, Aquino said seeking a return in the Senate is not part of his priorities as he will focus on building the opposition coalition ahead of Eleksyon 2022.

In the interview, Aquino was asked if there is a possibility that he won’t run in the upcoming elections, in which, Bam replied: “Yes.”

“When 2021 started and we are still in the middle of pandemic, I prayed over it, I asked God kung ano pinakamainam na role for the country. Ang pumasok sa isipan ko back then and I still believe it now is that my role is try to build this coalition, my role is to bring together ‘yung iba’t-ibang mga grupo,” Aquino narrated.

(When 2021 started and we are still in the middle of the pandemic, I prayed over it, I asked God what is the most efficient role for me for this country. The thing that went into my mind back then and I still believe it now is that my role is try to build this coalition, my role is to bring together different groups.)

He said the opposition’s “best chance” is to be united ahead of the 2022 national and local polls.

“Again ‘pag watak watak tayo (if we are not united) going to 2022, it’s not going to work. That is the best chance that we have to create this change na hinahanap natin (that we are looking for),” he said. — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA News