1Sambayan picks Leni for president

Vice President Leni Robredo has been chosen by the opposition coalition 1Sambayan as its presidential candidate for the May 2022 elections.

In an online briefing on Thursday, lead convenor and retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio said they expect Robredo to decide on her political plans soon.

“We hope that she will accept the challenge,” he said.

Robredo expressed deep gratitude to 1Sambayanan for picking her as its presidential bet – without expressing if she accepted the nomination.

The Vice President has yet to categorically bare her plans for the 2022 elections. According to her spokesperson Ibarra Gutierrez on Wednesday, running for another term as vice president remains an option for her.

“I am thanking you for the nomination of 1Sambayanan. It is a big honor to be trusted by the members,” she said.

“I also thank our countrymen who have shown their overwhelming support on me in these past weeks and months,” Robredo added.

The presidency is such a huge responsibility and obligation, she noted, saying the lives and future of the Filipinos are at stake.

Celebrities, volunteers, and various organizations supporting Robredo’s presidential run in 2022 have lauded the decision of the opposition coalition, saying they were energized by the development.

They also expressed their willingness to work with 1Sambayan in building the broadest opposition coalition for the 2022 polls.

Insurers for Leni, composed of agents and executives of life- and non-life insurance companies from all regions of the country, lauded 1Sambayan’s decision to endorse Robredo for president.

Carpio said Robredo was chosen through a selection process that included a survey among 1Sambayan members and coalition partners, as well as an assessment of her track record, competence, integrity, patriotism, vision for the country and winnability.

“We therefore ask VP Leni to accept our endorsement to lead the Filipino people in this difficult time in our history,” Carpio said.

Carpio said in case Robredo declines 1Sambayan’s nomination, they would reconvene “to decide what to do.” 

However, he said Robredo rejecting the nomination is a “remote possibility.”

In her radio program on September 19, Robredo said that the opposition must serve the “best interest of the country” in fielding candidates for 2022.

The vice president also said she is more than prepared if she is chosen to be the opposition’s “unity candidate.”