The so-called Resistance Coalition will field at least six candidates in the 2019 senatorial elections, Senator Francis Pangilinan said Monday.
Pangilinan, who is president of the Liberal Party, said the list of opposition candidates include reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino, former Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada, FLAG chairman Chel Diokno, Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, and former Akbayan Party-list Rep. Barry Gutierrez.
He said they were still trying to convince actress Agot Isidro to run.
“We initially talked to her, but she is still firming up her decision if she will proceed or not. She is very opinionated, brave and we need strong women candidates,” Pangilinan said.
“Hindi matatawaran ang galing at paglingkod sa bayan ng nasa listahan ng mga tatakbo sa ilalim ng bandera ng tunay na oposisyon. Dati nang tumaya para sa bayan ang anim na ito, at sa kanilang pagtakbo ay muling tataya para sa buhay at kabuhayan nating mga Pilipino.
“Bottomline is, the resistance to what? The resistance to the encroachment of China on our sovereignty, in our sovereign waters. The resistance to extra-judicial killings, which is still happening. Of course, resistance to corruption. And resistance to the lack of emphasis on creating jobs and addressing the rising prices of goods.
“Haharapin ng anim at ng koalisyon ang mga government policy and action na hindi nakakabuti sa bayan at taumbayan.”
Pangilinan said the challenge for the candidates was to bring these issues to the people.
“So hamon sa atin ito. Kinakailangan ipaabot sa taumbayan ‘yung mga issues na palagay natin ay dapat tinutugunan na hindi natutugunan,” he said.
Asked about the possible inclusion of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in the opposition slate, Pangilinan said: “We have to have strong women in our ticket.”
The coalition of opposition parties includes the Liberal Party, Akbayan and Magdalo, and the organization Tindig Pilipinas.
“It can’t be just LP. It should be based on the issues that we’ll be upholding. We are in talks with Akbayan, with Magdalo…Tindig Pilipinas is part of the talks. And we’re still discussing and reaching out to other groups,” Pangilinan said.
He said Vice President Leni Robredo, chairman of the Liberal Party, was involved in the coalition-building process.
