‘Robredo, Isko should join forces to defeat Marcos’

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno should make sacrifices to defeat the administration candidate and restore the rule of law in the country, a party official said yesterday.

Speaking on ANC yesterday, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, a former Liberal Party member who transferred to Moreno’s Aksyon Demokratiko, said the two presidential candidates should join forces to prevent the possible return of the Marcoses to Malacañang.

Only the Marcoses and the allies of President Duterte stand to benefit if Robredo and Moreno will be pitted against each other, said Erice, who was recently appointed chair of the Aksyon Demokratiko Metro Manila.

“I think there’s a chance for unification. Both Mayor Isko and Vice President Leni should be open,” he said, noting that even as the filing of certificates of candidacy has ended, things can still change before the deadline for substitution comes on Nov. 15.

Describing himself as a “martial law baby” and a true “dilawan” since he started out in politics under the wing of former president Corazon Aquino, Erice expressed hope the two could still work it out and prevent the return of the Marcoses to power.

He said Robredo and Moreno’s unity could put a stop to the killings and abuse of power under the present administration.

“There should be repentance or atonement (over the martial law atrocities). But each should be humble and give way to each other, so we could end the abuses of this government, prevent the Marcoses’ return and restore rule of law,” Erice said in Filipino.

Even the party’s internal survey studies seemed to show that administration candidates stand to benefit from the Robredo-Moreno squabble.

Erice cited his party’s internal study of recent surveys that showed should Moreno give way to Robredo, his votes would only go in favor of Marcos and another frontrunner like Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

He admitted that Robredo’s votes would go to Moreno if she gives way to the mayor, which means Moreno stands to gain if Robredo backs out.

“We can’t look at survey numbers alone. We need to look at qualitative data. I know for a fact that if Isko backs out, most of his votes will go to Bongbong and Sara. (If Robredo backs out) at least 90 percent of votes will go to Isko, at least before this brouhaha,” said Erice.

Aksyon Demokratiko chairman Ernest Ramel yesterday confirmed to The STAR the party’s internal study. ?“This was the reason Robredo was pushing for a possible tandem between Moreno and another presidential candidate, Sen. Manny Pacquiao,” Ramel said.

“I could confirm that the Vice President is pushing for an Isko-Pacquiao tandem. That’s why she thought Mayor Isko has the best chance of winning against a Duterte or Marcos candidate, or both,” Ramel told The STAR.

“That’s what the internal surveys show. I could not really confirm but I think the camp of the Vice President is aware of this, that’s why she is pushing for Isko-Pacquiao,” he added.

Moreno last week spoke against the Vice President and called her a “fake leader,” running just to prevent the Marcoses’ return in Malacañang.

The mayor scored Robredo’s supporters for calling on him to withdraw and called them “yellowtards,” an offensive term for the Liberals even though he had vowed to be a “healing president.”

Moreno reacted to Robredo’s remark that the talks between them collpased because of the mayor’s stance about the Marcoses.

Erice said Robredo was being “intellectually dishonest” for pushing the unification talks with a plan to join the presidential derby at the back of her mind.

Erice said it would be Robredo’s fault if Marcos wins next year because she promised not to join the race if it would take away votes from the opposition.

“VP Leni told me she will unify the opposition, but how can you unify the opposition if deep inside you is a desire, the idea of running for president? It’s bordering on intellectual dishonesty,” Erice said.