Colmenares open to work with Robredo after Senate slate snub, says ‘big fight’ vs. corruption, poverty

Senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares on Friday said he respects the decision of Vice President Leni Robredo not to include him in the senatorial slate for the 2022 national elections.

In a statement, Colmenares reiterated that those who will complete Robredo's senatorial slate is a decision which will be made by the latter.

"My non-inclusion in her slate does not preclude us from continuing engagement and cooperation with her campaign on urgent issues that concern our people," Colmenares said.

"The most urgent of these issues is preventing a Marcos restoration and a Duterte extension amid the continuing pandemic and the worsening crisis in the country," he added.

The Bayan Muna chairperson reiterated his call for the "broad democratic forces to unite against the emerging Marcos-Duterte alliance."

"Our differences notwithstanding, let us not lose sight of the bigger fight before us. It is my hope that we continue to work together to defeat the forces of tyranny and corruption," he said.

Earlier, it was reported that Colmenares was having talks with Robredo's camp for his inclusion in the latter's senatorial slate.

Colmenares' candidacy is supported by the Makabayan Coalition, which has not expressed any support yet to any presidential candidate.

Robredo has chosen labor leader and fellow lawyer Sonny Matula as her 12th Senate bet for the coming polls.

The Vice President, who is the standard bearer of the opposition, made the announcement three days after Matula of the Labor Party Philippines and the rest of labor groups under the umbrella Alliance of Labor Leaders for Leni (ALL 4 Leni) ensured their full support for Robredo's presidential bid.

Robredo's other senatorial bets include the following Senator Richard Gordon, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Miguel Zubiri, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Leila de Lima, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, former Representative Teddy Baguilat, Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and Alex Lacson of Kapatiran. —LDF, GMA News