More groups urge Robredo to run for president

by Janvic Mateo – The Philippine Star, 21 Aug 2021

MANILA, Philippines — Various groups will launch this weekend their respective campaigns to urge Vice President Leni Robredo to run for president next year.

Joseph Quesada, a convenor of Team Leni Robredo, said more groups representing different sectors and areas nationwide have expressed their intention to support Robredo should she decide to run for higher office.

“We are very enthusiastic that many people and groups are putting their hopes on Vice President Leni Robredo amid these times of uncertainty,” he said.

“We are also strengthening our alliances with other regional groups to beef up our ground support. We need to be ready if the Vice President accepts the challenge and throws her hat in the presidential race,” he added.

Four groups based in Iloilo, Pangasinan, Bulacan and Metro Manila will launch their respective initiatives calling on Robredo to seek the presidency.

Another group composed of teachers will also have a virtual launch this afternoon.

In the following weeks, Quesada said other groups that have expressed intention to help Robredo’s candidacy will formalize their coalition, including professionals, bankers, youth organizations and members of the LGBTQ community.

A people’s convention will be held on Aug. 30 to highlight the extent of support for Robredo’s candidacy.

“We will build a strong coalition to ensure Vice President Robredo’s win in 2022. We need her to stop the attempt of this administration to hold on to power,” said Quesada.

Robredo is being considered by opposition coalition 1Sambayan to be the unified candidate of an opposition slate.

The Vice President, who has reached out to other potential candidates, said she is still considering a run for higher office.

Sara tops new poll

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte remains the top choice for president in the national elections next year, according to a non-commissioned, independent survey released yesterday.

President Duterte’s daughter received the highest voter preference at 31.25 percent, with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno a distant second with 14.21 percent.

Boxing icon Sen. Manny Pacquiao garnered 11.95 percent at third place, followed by Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with 11.20 percent, Sen. Grace Poe, 7.62 percent and Robredo, 6.51 percent.

The younger Duterte got the highest voter preference in Mindanao with 60.17 percent, followed by the Visayas with 25.11 percent and Luzon with 21.35 percent.

The poll was conducted from Aug. 1 to 10 by the RP Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMDinc).

The President, meanwhile, is the top choice for vice president at 21.81 percent; followed by Moreno, 15.25 percent; Marcos, 10.94 percent; Pacquiao, 10.72 percent and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, 8.57 percent.

The Chief Executive is strongest in Mindanao with 37.47 percent of voter preference, followed by the Visayas, 17.62 percent and Luzon, 16.85 percent.

The RPMDinc interviewed around 10,000 register voters on their preferred candidates in next year’s polls. – Emmanuel Tupas