Gordon dismisses Trillanes’ criticisms on his Eleksyon 2022 talks with Robredo

Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday dismissed former senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s criticisms on his election-related discussion with Vice President Leni Robredo.

“[The] former [senator] is entitled to his own opinion. It was a private meeting [and] it was an honor for me to have an open, honest, [and meaningful discussion [with] the VP, for whom [I] have great respect,” Gordon said in a tweet.

In response to media queries re a former sen’s comments on the mtg bet VP Leni Robredo & myself— former sen is entitled to his own opinion. It was a private meeting & it was an honor for me to have an open, honest, & meaningful discussion w/ the VP, for whom i have great respect.

— Richard J. Gordon (@DickGordonDG) August 2, 2021

On Monday, Trillanes posted a long letter for the opposition on Facebook, saying he is not against Robredo’s exploratory talks with other camps for the 2022 polls but just not with Gordon and Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Reacting to Trillanes’ statement, Lacson just said "not worth my time."

In the said post, Trillanes pointed out that Robredo should’ve known the opposition’s “non-negotiables and red lines” before conducting exploratory talks with other groups.

He recalled a committee hearing that was presided over by Lacson wherein Liberal Party member and detained Senator Leila De Lima was “pinned down” by bogus witnesses. He added that Lacson was the author of the Anti-Terror Law.

On the other hand, Trillanes said Gordon was the "notorious chairman" who allegedly cleared the President of any involvement over alleged extrajudicial killings and other allegations of corruption.

Robredo’s partymate and ally Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon disagreed with Trillanes, saying Leni’s discussions with Lacson and Gordon are part of the efforts to unite the opposition ahead of Eleksyon 2022.

“I don’t agree that we should not talk to Senator Lacson and Senator Gordon. They have done their share in maintaining their principles. I disagree with Senator Trillanes, with all due respect,” Drilon told reporters in a virtual interview Tuesday.

The Liberal Party’s 2022 preparations are 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.

So far, the Vice President said she is looking at the “viability” of her possible presidential run.

Robredo ranked sixth in the latest Pulse Asia Survey for possible presidential and vice presidential candidates for Eleksyon 2022. The ranking was dominated by presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.—AOL, GMA News