Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said he is willing not to run in the 2022 elections, saying his final plans still depend on Vice President Leni Robredo’s decision.
“My decision to run for any office is hinged on the decision of VP Leni. Now, on the assumption that she gets picked as the presidential nominee of 1Sambayan, then it is her prerogative to choose her running mate,” Trillanes told CNN Philippines.
“I’m prepared not to run at all and just push for her candidacy, but if she would tap me as her running mate, then I’d be ready for it,” he added. “When we submitted ourselves to be part of this coalition, gano’n ‘yun (that’s how it is). Even if it doesn’t go your way, you still have to be supportive, 100%.”
Opposition coalition 1Sambayan included Trillanes and Robredo among their potential candidates for president and vice president, along with Senator Grace Poe, Representatives Eduardo Villanueva and Vilma Santos-Recto, and lawyer Chel Diokno.
Meanwhile, Robredo has not yet announced her plans for the 2022 elections.
Last month, Trillanes confirmed his plan to be the main candidate to run for the presidency under the opposition coalition if Vice President Leni Robredo would not do it.
“I, together with the Magdalo group, have decided to convey to the 1SAMBAYAN Coalition to change my status from being an alternate candidate (to VP Leni) to being a principal candidate for President to vie for the Coalition’s nomination,” Trillanes said.
Trillanes’ 2022 election plans depend on Robredo’s decision
“Just to further stress this point, in the event that VP Leni DEFINITIVELY decides to run for President BEFORE 1SAMBAYAN picks its nominees in July, I would wholeheartedly STEP ASIDE and WITHDRAW my own candidacy in her favor.”
In connection with his plan, he is said to be preparing to focus on the country’s problems, specifically:
- COVID-19 response
- economic recovery and addressing poverty
- peace and security sector reforms
- fight against corruption
- universal healthcare
- foreign relations (including the West Philippine Sea)
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