Anti-Duterte unity ticket proposed

MANILA, Philippines — With the Duterte family aiming to return to power, the Marcos administration can unite with non-traditional allies, including the so-called “pink” forces of the independent opposition, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV said yesterday.

Trillanes said he has sent a message to the administration about the possibility of uniting with the forces that opposed the return to power of President Marcos.

“We have to set aside sensitivities for a larger cause,” which is “the obliteration of the Duterte forces,” Trillanes told “Storycon” on One News.

“The timing is good. It is a reason to galvanize the unity of all the sectors who are not with the Dutertes. It should be in 2025. We must have unity candidates and absorb all the opposition, the independent opposition,” he added.

Trillanes said he has initiated “exploratory talks” for the administration and the independent opposition to unite.

“We have been reaching out to different personalities involved. Their initial reactions are positive. We just have to sit down with them. I am reaching out to those who are establishing the lists of senatorial candidates for the administration ticket,” Trillanes said.

He said he launched this effort after Vice President Sara Duterte announced last Tuesday that her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and brothers Paolo and Sebastian intend to run for the Senate in 2025.

Sebastian, currently the mayor of Davao City, would also seek the presidency in 2028, the Vice President said. She clarified yesterday, however, that there was still no final decision on this.

Trillanes said he had sent a message about his proposal to the camps of former senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan, but not to former vice president Leni Robredo and former senator Mar Roxas, and so far, not to Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

The past two years have shown that the camps of Marcos and those who opposed his rise to power have more common ground than differences, such as over the West Philippine Sea and economic recovery, Trillanes told Storycon. The main divergence of opinion, he noted, is over Charter change.

Asked if he thought President Marcos might be open to the idea, he said, “We’ll know