Robredo leads intro of 'Oposisyon Koalisyon' Senate bets

MANILA, Philippines — “Opposition is very much alive.”

This was Vice President Leni Robredo’s remarks as she led the launch of the opposition’s senatorial slate for the 2019 national elections on Wednesday morning.

“Oposisyon Koalisyon” is fielding eight senatorial aspirants for the midterm elections next year. They are re-electionist Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, former Sen. Mar Roxas, Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list), former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, former congressman Erin Tañada, veteran lawyer Romulo Macalintal, Maranao leader Samira Gutoc-Tomawis and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno.

Roxas, however, was not in attendance in the launch. It was later said that Roxas, former Interior and Local Government chief and defeated presidential candidate, had an earlier scheduled trip.

Former President Benigno Aquino III also graced the event, along with Sens. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros and Antonio Trillanes IV, and Reps. Edcel Lagman (Albay), Kit Belmonte (Quezon City) and Miro Quimbo (Marikina).

Robredo said that many have remarked that it is not easy to be part of the opposition as those who have guts to criticize were being “belittled, trampled on, charged, jailed.”

“But this morning, we show that despite hardships, many still stand and fight,” the vice president added in Filipino.

Robredo also said that the opposition slate’s way is fraught with difficulties, especially since they are fighting for a Congress seat against more prominent candidates

But she recalled that in 2016 elections, she herself casted doubts for being the lesser known candidate for the vice presidency.

“If you look at the survey, it really looked like it was hopeless, but because of our unity, your help, the one percent made the vice presidency possible,” Robredo said.

“If it was possible in 2016, there is no reason that we cannot bring the eight to victory, so long as we are united,” the vice president added. — Kristine Joy Patag