JE C.C.
The highlight of the joint press conference of the three presidentiables was Domagoso’s plea for VP Robredo to do a sacrifice, which he can’t do himself.
Manila Mayor and presidentiable Isko Domagoso asked Vice Presdient Leni Robredo to withdraw her presidential bid in the 2022 national polls.
Domagoso made the call at a joint press conference he held alongside fellow presidentiables, Senator Ping Lacson, and former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, at the Manila Peninsula Hotel, on April 16.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, who was previously rumored to attend, was a no-show at the event.
The preceding night, invites were sent out by at least three presidential candidates, that a press conference would be held by five presidentiables at the Manila Peninsula.
There was a clarification that it was not going to see one or more of the candidates backing down from the race. True enough, the press conference that happened today just saw the three candidates re-affirming their commitment to finishing their presidential campaign.
NOW: Presidential candidates Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Sen. Ping Lacson, former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales, and VP bets Dr. Willie Ong, Senate President Tito Sotto hold joint press conference in Makati City #Halalan2022 | via @biancadava pic.twitter.com/IfhNfxxhz5
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) April 17, 2022
The highlight of the presser, however, is Isko Domagoso’s plea for Vice President Leni Robredo, to withdraw from the race, telling her: ‘Do the extreme sacrifice’ and ‘be a hero’. It’s a plea he, doesn’t seem capable of doing.
“I’m calling for Leni to withdraw. Whatever you’re doing is not effective against Marcos. Withdraw. Come and join us” reiterated Domagoso. “Gusto niyo ba huwag manalo si Marcos? Withdraw, Leni, baka may manalo na hindi Marcos. Baka isa sa amin (Do you really like Marcos to not win? Withdraw now, Leni. Who knows, one of us might win?),” he added.
It can be noted, however, that among the presidential candidates, it is VP Leni Robredo who has the highest chance of beating the former dictator’s son, according to opinion polls. Robredo’s numbers, based on the latest Pulse Asia survey, even improved by 9% from February to March.
Days leading to the event, one of his biggest support groups, IM Pilipinas, officially switched to VP Robredo’s presidential campaign. It is the same tragedy for Senator Ping Lacson, who lost the backing of his former political party, Partido Reforma, which now pushes for the presidential bid of Robredo.
