Allies of the Liberal Party (LP), Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), and Akbayan Party-list are exploring a selection process from the so-called “HARP” slate to determine the opposition’s standard-bearer for the 2028 national elections.
Teddy Baguilat, LP vice president and former Ifugao representative, publicly endorsed the lineup composed of Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, and former vice president and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo as potential contenders for a unified ticket.
“Pambato ko HARP (Hontiveros, Aquino, Robredo, Pangilinan) Bakit? Si Risa, matapang at naninindigan. Si Bam, the future is now,” Baguilat said in a social media post Monday.
“Si Leni, still the strongest, presidential leadership. Si Kiko, the wisest at pinakamatapat,” he added.
Baguilat suggested that aligned groups could hold a “primary election” to determine which among the four would carry the banner of a broader opposition coalition. The move is seen as a strategy to unite forces ahead of a potential showdown with Vice President Sara Duterte, who has already declared her presidential bid.
He clarified that formal discussions have yet to begin but urged early talks to streamline the selection of candidates.
Earlier, Hontiveros said the “united opposition” has not finalized its slate, though she expressed willingness to run if chosen. Aquino, for his part, has ruled out a vice presidential bid for now, emphasizing that governance should remain the priority.
Both Robredo and Pangilinan have yet to confirm their plans. Pangilinan previously ran alongside Robredo in the 2022 elections, where their tandem lost to the “UniTeam” ticket of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Duterte.