1Sambayan

1Sambayan is a coalition of various individuals and political groups that aims to form a united opposition to challenge the Duterte administration successor and allies in the 2022 Philippine general elections. Its main objective is to push for what it said as a 'competent and trustworthy' administration in the 2022 Philippine general elections by fielding a single slate of national candidates from president to vice president and to 12 senators. In October 2021, the coalition endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo, the de facto face of the opposition and of the minority Liberal Party, as its choice for president in 2022.

The coalition currently has more than 3000 partner individuals, more than 2500 volunteers, 25 candidates, and 25 winnable posts.

History

The movement began in September 2020, seven months after the government declared a national public health emergency due to COVID-19 pandemic. Several groups expressed their outrage at the way the Duterte administration handled the crisis, as well as its lack of transparency over the ballooning loans for its coronavirus pandemic response.

Election lawyer Atty. Howard Calleja, Jesuit priest Fr. Albert Alejo, and La Salle Brother Armin Luistro talked about the urgency of preparing for the next election. They started a series of meetings with people identified to be belonging to oppositions—government officials, politicians, sectoral group leaders, and businessmen—to discuss how they could challenge the current administration in order "to have a better government that Filipinos deserve." The groups agreed to push for a single slate of national candidates to ensure a fighting chance, as well as asking for help from credible personalities with unquestioned integrity to lead their group especially in nominating prospective national candidates.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio agreed to join the group and proposed to make an inclusive coalition of opposition groups. He was chosen to be 1Sambayan’s chairman. Through his invitation, retired Ombudsman and SC Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales and former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ambassador Albert del Rosario joined the coalition.

Convenors

• Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ (Ateneo de Manila)
• Atty. Howie Calleja
• Conchita Carpio-Morales (Ombudsman [ret.])
• Antonio Carpio (SC Justice [ret.])
• Atty. Neri Colmenares (former Congressman)
• Lito Coscolluela (former Governor)
• Albert Del Rosario (Ambassador)
• Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC (De La Salle)
• Rene Magtubo
• Sonny Matula
• Heidi Mendoza (former Commission on Audit [COA] Commissioner)
• Rommel Ong (Admiral [ret.])
• Don Santiago
• Ricky Xavier

Member Organizations

• Akbayan
• Aksyon
• Bagong Siklab Pilipinas
• Magdalo
• Makabayan
• Nagkaisa!
• Social Democratic Caucus
• The People’s Choice
• Tunay na Bayani

On Finding “The One”

The foremost qualification of 1Sambayan’s candidate is a clear, upright stand against the atrocities of the current regime. The coalition also looks into the prospective candidates’ track record, platforms, and winnability. They also aim to seek the consensus of Filipinos in selecting the candidates to find the right ones every Filipino can rally behind and be proud of.

1Sambayan’s vision of a better nation includes the following ideals:

• Leadership by heart
• Inclusive governance
• Stable economy
• Drug-free nation
• Low crime rate
• Corruption-free

On 30 September 2021, 1Sambayan coalition endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo as its Presidential bet, while former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was their top pick for Vice President. While Robredo filed her candidacy for President, Trillanes filed his certificate of candidacy for senator under the Liberal Party.

As for their senatorial slate, they named at least seven from Robredo’s slate to endorse in the upcoming elections. They are:

• Former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat
• Senator Leila de Lima
• Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno
• Senator Risa Hontiveros
• Lawyer Alex Lacson
• Labor leader Sonny Matula
• Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV

The coalition has yet to finalize their senatorial slate.

References

• “About Us”. 1Sambayan. (Accessed on 15 December 2021).
• Cepeda, Mara.“1Sambayan endorses Leni Robredo for president”. Rappler. (Accessed on 15 December 2021).
• Ager, Maila.“1Sambayan poll: Robredo, Trillanes top picks for president, VP”. INQUIRER.net. (Accessed on 15 December 2021).
• Antonio, Raymund.“7 from Leni-Kiko Senate slate up for 1Sambayan’s endorsement; find out who they are”. Manila Bulletin. (Accessed on 15 December 2021).

Citation

Original content from WikiPilipinas. under GNU Free Documentation License. See full disclaimer.