Labor rights lawyer Luke Espiritu has signaled openness to joining the senatorial slate being assembled by the “traditional” opposition aligned with former Vice President and incoming Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo for the 2028 national and local elections.
In a podcast interview with vlogger Hey Eiyo, Espiritu said he is open to being part of Robredo’s slate. However, he emphasized that a more effective strategy would be a united front of both the traditional opposition and progressive groups under the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) bloc.
“I call for a united opposition, it should be composed by the Liberal-democratic forces and the progressives, yan yung two main forces na kailangan magsama hindi lang for 2028 because this is not simply about elections,” Espiritu said.
He added that the electoral landscape suggests a growing divide between pro‑Duterte forces and the Robredo‑led opposition, with 2025 midterm results reflecting this trend.
“Bam Aquino won, #2, Kiko Pangilinan, Heidi Mendoza had more votes than many other DDS and yet also, the DDS forces won with the victory of Bato dela Rosa, Bong Go and Marcoleta,” he noted.
Espiritu believes the Marcos administration’s influence may continue to wane by 2028, citing the defeat of Marcos ally, former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, in the 2025 polls as a warning sign.
“Dalawa na lang, nakita natin noong eleksyon na ‘to ng 2025 na ang Marcos forces halos wala nang say sa process, diba Marcos candidates lost despite yung makinarya? Ahhh Benhur Abalos really indicates yung pagkatalo ng mga Marcos forces,” he said.
Despite losing his own senatorial campaign in 2025, Espiritu garnered 6,481,413 votes—nearly double his 2022 tally.