XPost: talk.politics.misc

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.

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