Robredo trying to unite opposition by talking to other politicians — 1Sambayan’s Morales

Anti-administration coalition 1Sambayan on Wednesday welcomed Vice President Leni Robredo’s discussions with other politicians ahead of the 2022 national elections, saying her actions could be an attempt to unite the opposition.

“1Sambayan is happy about this development because it would synchronize with the plan of 1Sambayan to have just one set of candidates to go against the candidates of the President and his allies,” 1Sambayan convenor and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said in an online forum.

Last week, Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson revealed that they met with the Vice President separately to discuss election-related matters

The meetings held with Gordon and Lacson were confirmed by Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez.

Shortly after the confirmation from Robredo’s camp, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV warned the Vice President that Magdalo would not join an alliance that will support Lacson’s presidential bid.

“I’m sorry Senator Trillanes. I do not think that by talking to (Lacson’s running mate Senate President Vicente) Sotto and to Lacson, Leni is already waltzing with them. No. She is not,” Morales said.

“She is in fact, from my view, trying to get them to unite with one opposition candidate.”

Trillanes and Robredo are among the six nominees of the opposition coalition 1Sambayan for president and vice president, along with Senator Grace Poe, Representatives Eduardo Villanueva and Vilma Santos-Recto, and lawyer Chel Diokno.

Robredo has yet to decide whether to seek the presidency.

Qualities of PNoy

Morales also indicated that 1Sambayan wants the opposition standard bearer to possess the qualities of the late former President Benigno Aquino III.

She said the presidential candidate should have integrity and competence.

“But competence without integrity is more dangerous than integrity without competence,” Morales said. — RSJ, GMA News