5 ‘Presidentiables’ decry Robredo’s attempt to force them to withdraw

FIVE of the ten candidates for the country’s presidency took the unprecedented move of organizing a joint press conference to denounce the effort of Vice President Leni Robredo to force them to withdraw from the race with bribe offers and “reimbursement” for their campaign expenses.

At a press conference on Sunday, April 17, 2022, the candidates, Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former national security adviser and defense secretary, Norberto Gonzales, said they are joined by Sen. Manny Pacquiao and former presidential spokesman Norberto Gonzales, in resisting the attempt of Robredo’s camp to reduce the presidential contest between her and former senator, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong/BBM’ Marcos Jr.

The group said they called for the press conference not only to expose Robredo’s machinations but to also inform Filipinos that none of them are withdrawing from the race so that the electorate can have more choices on who to vote for other than Robredo and Marcos.

Moreno said they have also signed a “covenant” to the effect that they are committed to pursue their respective candidacies, despite the persistent attempts by Robredo’s camp for them to abandon their own presidential ambition with offers of post-election positions and “reimbursement” of their expenses.

The three also warned that Robredo’s attempt to narrow down the race between her and Marcos can be used to rig the elections’ result.

Witnessing their “covenant” are Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Lacson’s running mate and, Dr. Willie Ong, the running mate of Moreno.

Summarizing the candidates’ position, Sotto said that the candidates also vowed to support any candidate who would win the election in a credible manner and that they would oppose any attempt to “subvert” the electoral process.

Robredo’s character “defects” denounced

Moreno lamented that the camp of Robredo has been trying to reduce the election between the “Pinklawans/Dilawans” and the “Reds” (Marcos camp), stressing that on so many occasions, Robredo had stressed that her only reason for running is to prevent another Marcos from becoming president.

The three—Lacson, Gonzales, Moreno—also decried that Robredo’s persona and character cannot be trusted.

All of them bared that prior to the filing of the certificate of candidacy last October 2021, they have personally heard from Robredo— “many, many times”—that she is not running for president but is merely interested in “uniting” the opposition against Marcos.

Lacson said that in his case, he twice met with Robredo last year where they discussed the basis for uniting the opposition and where she repeatedly told him that she is not running for president.

Later on, Lacson said, he realized that the ‘unity’ that Robredo was talking about was for all those also seeking the presidential office to unite behind her own bid.

He also assailed Robredo’s camp for asking him to withdraw in exchanged for making Sotto as her vice president—at the expense of Robredo’s running mate, Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan.

In the case of Gonzales, he said that he was even offered “reimbursement” for his expenses just for him to withdraw from the contest.

But prior to this, Gonzales also bared he heard from Robredo “many, many  times” that she is “not running.”

He also described as “flawed” the reasoning of Robredo’s camp that their withdrawal from the presidential contest would immediately translate that their followers would support Robredo instead. “That is not the reality,” he pointed out.

It is Robredo who should withdraw– Moreno

For his part, Moreno said Robredo seems to be treating them as “garbage” (basura) and that she has repeatedly told him to “make the supremesacrifice” by withdrawing from the race.

“Kung basura ang tingin nila sa amin, how much more sa inyo (Filipinos),” Moreno said.

He added that if supreme sacrifice is to be made, it should be Robredo who should withdraw from the race.

“Kung mayroon mang supreme sacrifice, Leni should initiate the supreme sacrifice. Let Leni withdraw, if you love your country,” Moreno said.

He reasoned that unlike the other candidates who are offering their services to the country, Robredo’s only reason for running in the elections is to oppose Marcos.

“Hindi ba sinabi niya ‘yan. Kaya niya gustong tumakbo, kasi gusto niyang labanan si Marcos.

“VP Leni said so many, many times and the Yellows said so many, many times, ‘No to Marcos,’ never again.

“So, it’s about the Marcoses, it’s not about you (Filipinos),” Moreno stressed.

He added that with less than 3 weeks before the elections, it has become clear that Robredo’s narrowing the issue against the Marcoses proved ineffective and her best move would be to withdraw.

“Withdraw, come and join us (instead),” Moreno said.