[Philippines] Robredo on rejecting Lacson’s ‘unification’ plan: If I run, I'll fight until the end

[Job Bautista]

https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/robredo-reason-rejecting-lacson-unification-plan-2022-elections

> "According to the Vice President, Senator Lacson’s plan would see all
> opposition bets filing for candidacy, and then withdrawing over time
> in favor of the best polling contender"
>
> Vice President Leni Robredo resisted Senator Panfilo Lacson’s
> “unification” formula in the 2022 elections because it meant she
> would have to file for her certificate of candidacy (COC) knowing she
> may have to withdraw – a tactic she feared would lead her supporters
> on.
>
> In her weekly radio show on Sunday, August 8, Robredo told her
> co-anchor Ely Saludar why she rejected the proposal of Lacson – who
> is presenting himself as an “alternative” presidential candidate for
> 2022 – despite her ongoing efforts to forge a united front for the
> opposition.
>
> Lacson did not give details when he said on August 5 that Robredo
> resisted his “unification” formula for the elections.
>
> According to the Vice President, Lacson’s plan apparently would see
> all potential opposition bets filing their COCs. They would then
> agree on a specific time to observe who among themselves performed
> the best in surveys. The rest of the candidates would then have to
> withdraw their candidacies in favor of the “best” contender.
>
> However, she believes this set-up would just lead her supporters on,
> since she would have to withdraw from the race just because her poll
> numbers were dismal.
>
> Robredo, Philippine opposition leader and chair of the once-ruling
> Liberal Party (LP), is still mulling over her own presidential bid.
> Pre-election polls show she is still the most viable candidate for
> the anti-Duterte forces despite her low ratings.
>
> She said once she decides to gun for the presidency in 2022, she
> would fight until the end.
>
> “Sa akin, simple, simple ‘yung dahilan ko sa pagtutol doon sa
> proposal. Sa akin, ‘pag nag-file ako, kailangan kong ituloy ang
> laban. ‘Pag nag-file ako, hindi ako puwedeng umatras kahit gaano pa
> kahirap kasi prinisinta ko na 'yung sarili ko sa publiko eh,” Robredo
> said.
>
> (For me, I have a simple reason for rejecting the proposal. For me,
> if I file my candidacy, I have to finish the fight. If I file my
> candidacy, I can’t just withdraw from the race no matter how
> difficult it may be, because I already presented myself to the
> public.) Lacson respects decision
>
> Lacson said he respects Robredo's decision to decline, saying it was
> a "selfless and sincere" offer to support the Vice President's
> coalition-building efforts.
>
> "It goes without saying, I respect her decision to resist my
> suggestion and whatever reasons she has for declining. I admit that
> while there could be some complications attendant to my suggestion,
> nevertheless, it was a sincere and selfless offer in support of her
> equally sincere efforts to have one common candidate against whoever
> will be the administration’s bet," Lacson said in a statement.
>
> Lacson also told reporters that his suggestion to Robredo included
> having his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, become
> common vice presidential bet for the opposition "if only to emphasize
> that I have no intention of abandoning my partner." Forging united
> front still on
>
> While Robredo disagrees with Lacson’s offer, she believes there is
> still time for potential opposition presidential bets to find a
> compromise.
>
> She said she understands Lacson’s “out-of-the-box” formula is rooted
> in his desire to also forge a coalition in 2022.
>
> “Hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa na maghanap pa, kasi proposal lang
> naman ‘yun eh…. Patuloy na naghahanap ng best na formula,” the Vice
> President said.
>
> (I am not losing hope that we'll find more ways to unite, because
> that was just a proposal…. We’re still looking for the best
> formula.)
>
> The Vice President is giving herself until October 8 – the first day
> of COC filing – as her ultimate deadline to decide on her 2022
> electoral bid.
>
> Robredo has been meeting with other potential contenders like Lacson
> and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to find “commonalities” on issues they
> can agree on.
>
> The Vice President, however, said she would be temporarily suspending
> any coalition talks while various areas in the Philippines are still
> under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
>
> "Sinu-suspend ko muna 'yung lahat na initiatives sa pag-uusap kasi
> ECQ ngayon. May panahon pa naman para puliduhin ang mga engagement at
> usapan," Robredo said.
>
> (I am suspending all initiatives to talk because we're under ECQ now.
> There is still time to iron out all the engagements and
> discussions.)
>
> The Vice President is one of the preferred presidential bets of the
> 1Sambayan coalition, which is also aiming to endorse a single slate
> of opposition candidates to defeat President Rodrigo Duterte’s ticket
> in 2022.
>
> Robredo’s coalition talks with other candidates was frowned upon by
> another 1Sambayan nominee, ex-senator Antonio Trillanes IV. He
> believes only the Vice President is the logical standard-bearer for
> the opposition.
>
> But other key opposition figures, like LP vice chairman and Senate
> Minority Leader Franklin Drilon as well as former Ombudsman turned
> 1Sambayan convenor Conchita Carpio Morales, are backing the Vice
> President’s political strategy.

Opportunists like Lacson has a special place in the depths of hell.

--
Job Bautista

An XUL fanatic, and an add-ons developer. I also do some simple
userscripts and bash scripting.

I like Cyndaquil. He's obviously the best Pokemon starter. Every Johto
Pokemon is cool too.

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