Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV 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.
This is what Trillanes announced today in connection with the rumors that Robredo is preparing to run for governor of Camarines Sur.
“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.
“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.”
He said that he needs to do this to include his name in the selection process of 1SAMBAYAN.
Despite this, he said he does not plan to divide the opposition, especially since the coalition will only have one slate in the 2022 elections.
Trillanes plans to run for president if VP Leni does not want to in 2022
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)
“In just 5 years, Duterte has been able to destroy our institutions, bankrupted the economy, worsened poverty and corruption, surrendered our interests in the WPS, and promoted incompetence in public service,” he added.
“Worst of all, he made our people accept killings, immorality, indecency and vulgarity as the new societal norm. Truly, we WILL NOT survive another 6 years of a Duterte rule.”
Robredo recently registered for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) in Magarao, Camarines Sur, and not in Naga City, something that is now fanning the rumors that she has plans to run for governor in 2022.
However, Robredo’s spokesperson told the media that she did it because she and her siblings bought residential property in Magarao after their mother died in February 2020.
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