MALACAÑANG today chided the opposition coalition 1Sambayan after four of its six nominees for the 2022 presidential and vice-presidential posts declined the nomination.
In a televised interview, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was all sarcasm as he sent “best wishes” to the two 1Sambayan nominees for the 2022 elections, even as hinted at the anti-administration coalition as facing an uphill battle.
“Dalawa lang ang tumanggap, si Vice President Robredo at former Senator Trillanes. I wish them the best kaso mukhang mahirap talaga ang tatahakin ng 1Sambayan kasi karamihan ng na-nominate tumanggi,” Roque said.
1Sambayan on Saturday bared their nominees for president and vice president — Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Grace Poe, lawyer Chel Diokno, CIBAC party-list representative Eddie Villanueva, Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto, and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
All but two — Robredo and Trillanes — did not decline their nomination.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday said he is prepared not to run at all in the coming 2022 elections, reiterating that his final decision would depend on Vice President Leni Robredo.
As for Trillanes, his decision to run for President largely depends on the decision of the Vice President.
“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 was quoted as saying in a separate televised interview.
“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. Even if it doesn’t go your way, you still have to be supportive, 100%.”
Robredo has yet to make an announcement whether or not she’s running even as she earlier hinted as keeping her options open to the idea of standing up against the ruling administration come 2022 presidential election.
Trillanes earlier underscored that 1Sambayan is the only way for the opposition to secure a victory in 2022.
As for Poe, Trillanes said that the lady senator, who had earlier declined 1Sambayan presidential nomination, just might consider running for vice president.
“Kaibigan naman po natin si Sen. Grace Poe. Very definitive siya about not running for president but she remains open to run for vice president. Hindi ito parang set in stone for her; she’s still weighing her options but for vice president only,” he said.
Santos-Recto for her part issued a statement claiming no plan for the 2022 elections, while Villanueva is not likely to run for president, according to his son Senator Joel Villanueva.