Robredo, Trillanes, Poe, Villanueva, Diokno, Santos-Recto named 1Sambayan Eleksyon 2022 president, VP nominees

The anti-administration coalition 1Sambayan revealed the names of its Eleksyon 2022 president, vice president nominees on Saturday — the Philippines' 123rd  Independence Day.

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, one of the convenors of 1Sambayan, mentioned the following names as its nominees for the presidency and vice presidency:

• Vice President Leni Robredo
• former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV
• Senator Grace Poe
• CIBAC party-list Representative Eduardo Villanueva
• lawyer Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno
• Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto

After the announcement, three of the nominees sent messages to the coalition.

In her video remarks, Robredo said the key to solving the problems in the country is to identify their root causes, adding that Filipinos have been frustrated for a long time because their needs are not being addressed.

She said this frustration is being used by others to divide the country.

"Naniniwala ako, ang tugon sa mga suliranin natin, hindi iisa kung hindi bawat isa. Unang hakbang ang pagkilala sa ugat ng mga suliranin," Robredo said.

(I believe that there is no single answer to the country's problems, but rather all of us working together is the answer. The first step is recognizing the root of the problem.)

"Maraming pangangailangang hindi napupunan, maraming pangarap na parang hindi matupad-tupad, matagal ng frustrated ang mga Pilipino at ginagamit ng iba ang frustration na ito para pagwatak-watakin tayo, para idiin ang pagkakaiba natin kaysa sa mga bagay na nagbibigkis sa atin," she added.

(The country's needs are not being met, aspirations remain out of reach, Filipinos have long been frustrated and some people are using these frustrations to divide us, using it to emphasize our differences rather than emphasizing the things that bind us.)

Villanueva, for his part, said there is hope for the Philippines if Filipinos will unite and push for leadership that is based on integrity and morality.

"May malaking pagasa ang bayang Pilipinas kung tayo'y magkakaisa at itataguyod natin ang pamumunong nakabatay sa integridad at moralidad, kakayahan at karanasan, wasto at may prinsipyong pamumuno sa ating Inang Bayan," Villanueva said.

(The chances are good for the Philippines if we come together and support a leadership that is based on integrity and morality, ability and experience, righteous and principled leadership for our motherland.)

"Magagawa lang natin ito kung tayong lahat ay magkakaisa at magtutulong-tulong tungo sa muling pagbangon ng ating 1Sambayan," he added.

(We can accomplish we all come together and help each other towards a new awakening of our 1Sambayan.)

However, Villanueva's son,  Senator Joel Villanueva, said it was unlikely he would seek the higher office in 2022 due to the recent tragedy in their family.

In March last year, Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s wife— Sister Dory— passed away.

Barely three months after Sister Dory’s death, Brother Eddie's daughter— Bocaue Mayor Eleanor “Joni” Villanueva— also passed away.

On the other hand, Trillanes said pro-democracy forces should win in the coming elections as he believes that this triumph can only be attained through the 1Sambayan coalition.

"Dito nakasalalay ang survival ng ating bansa kaya napakahalaga na manalo ang mga pro-democracy force at kami ay naniniwala na ang tanging behikulo para sa tagumpay na ito ay and 1Sambayan coalition," Trillanes said.

(Our country's survival depends on this, that is why it is so important that pro-democracy forces succeed. And we believe that the one vehicle for this success is the 1Sambayan coalition.)

In a separate text message, Trillanes said that the 1Sambayan coalition is the only vehicle that could take the opposition to victory in the 2022 elections.

“Isang malaking karangal na maisama sa mga pagpipilian ng 1Sambayan coalition para sa pagka-presidente ng bansa. Nagtitiwala kami sa wisdom ng mga convenors ng 1Sambayan at naniniwala kami na ito ang tanging vehicle tungo sa pagpanalo ng oposisyun sa 2022,” he said.

(It is an honor to be included in 1Sambayan’s nominees for president of the country. We trust the wisdom of the convenors of 1Sambayan and we believe that this is the only vehicle towards the opposition’s victory in 2022.)

Meanwhile, Poe issued a statement saying she has no plans to run for President.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa patuloy na pagtitiwala ng ating mga kababayan. Ngunit wala akong planong tumakbo sa pagka-Pangulo sa darating na eleksyon,” she said.

“Sa abot ng aking makakaya bilang senador, nais kong pagtuunan ng atensyon ang pag-ahon ng ating mga kababayan mula sa pandemyang ito,” she added.

While she thanked 1Sambayan for considering her, Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto said she still has no political plans for 2022.

"I am focused in assisting Lipa City in its vaccination program and in providing assistance to families who need it most. Furthermore, I have my legislative duties to attend to,"  explained the Batangas Sixth District representative.

Lawyer Howard Calleja, also a convenor of the coalition, expressed confidence that opposition forces would rally behind one presidential candidate for the 2022 national elections.

Aside from Calleja and del Rosario, other 1Sambayan’s convenors and supporters were former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, former Education Secretary Armin Luistro, former Commission on Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers chairman Neri Colmenares, Magdalo party-list, and some labor groups.

Nancy, Isko

Senator Nancy Binay and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno were among the names mentioned by the coalition as possible candidates for presidency and vice presidency when the group was launched in March.

Carpio said Binay and Moreno asked to have their names removed from the list of nominees.

"We thought she was a possible candidate for vice president but she wrote [to] us so we have removed her name upon her request," Carpio said.

"As for Mayor Isko Moreno, we initially included him because he was also interested and we have talked to him and he said he was interested but the other day, he wrote us saying he wanted his name taken out of the list of nominees, possible candidates for president and of course we respect that," Carpio said.

Meanwhile, when asked why the coalition considered Senator Panfilo Lacson to join them even though he is one of the key proponents of the Anti-Terror Law, Carpio said the matter is a separate issue that is to be decided by the Supreme Court.

Carpio also said they cannot force Lacson if he does not want to join the group.

"It's up to Senator Lacson to joint or not. We cannot force anyone and we would be happy if they join voluntarily and if they request that their names be deleted, we have to honor that request," Carpio said. —DVM/KG, GMA News