VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo was named by 1SAMBAYAN as its presidential candidate for the 2022 national elections.

“VP Leni not only topped the 1SAMBAYAN internal survey, but we also determined, through a rather impassioned deliberations process, that she also has in abundance all the criteria we set for our Pambato: Tapat na Pagkatao, Mahusay na Pinuno and Marami nang Nagawa,” lead convenor retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio said.

Carpio said the group believes that Robredo best embodies the ideals the people want in a leader and is the best person to lead an opposition Unity Ticket.

“We call on those who love and care for our country to throw support behind the vice president and let us work to win in 2022,” he added.

The former chief justice explained that the internal survey was only one of the datasets considered by 1SAMBAYAN aside from deliberations on other criteria such as integrity, competence, patriotism and a vision for the country, as well as discussions with the nominees themselves who agreed to the group’s process.

He said Robredo came out as the top choice after consultations with coalition partners and chapter members.

The coalition is composed of 123 organizations, 48 local chapters, 22 foreign chapters and 12 youth chapters, reaching almost 3 million members.

“We understand that the VP is still undergoing her own painstaking process of discernment, and has repeatedly said that she is willing to set aside her own candidacy if it will be for the good of our people and nation,” Carpio said.

“We respect her process and her position, but it is our belief that at this point in our nation’s history, in a time of challenge and crisis, we need her to lead. She has shown her capacity for leadership throughout our people’s struggles with the pandemic; she is the leader we need,” he added.

Carpio appealed to Robredo to accept 1SAMBAYAN’s nomination and run for President in the 2022 elections.

If Robredo accepts, Carpio said, 1SAMBAYAN will help her choose her running mate and 12 senatorial candidates.