MANILA — Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno on Monday said opposition candidates and those running as independents in the 2025 midterm elections will need to "double or triple their efforts."

Administration bets usually have the advantage of the support and endorsement of the sitting president.

Diokno, chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group, also told ANC that prospective opposition bets must "get everyone involved, especially those who took part in the campaign in 2022."

LINK

Analyst hopeful for stronger opposition as LP plans comeback

Liberal Party spokesperson Leila de Lima has announced that Diokno and former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino might run for Senate seats in the 2025 midterm elections.

The filing of certificates of candidacy for next year's polls is in October this year.

Diokno however did not confirm the word in the interview, saying he was "surprised" and it was too early for such an announcement.

He said, though, that he wants to serve and would "continue to fight in any capacity." 

Diokno ran for senator unsuccessfully during the 2019 and 2022 polls. 

'DIFFERENT APPROACH'

Diokno also said he is optimistic that the opposition candidates can recover from the disinformation campaign on social media during the past elections.

'Kasinungalingan ito': Robredo reacts to text blast red-tagging her

He said it would now be a "question of proper use of resources and proper messaging."

"Unfortunately, we don't have the kind of ammunition that other people may have. It does require resources," he said.

"We are looking at a different approach, which is pushing what's true and what we believe will help people."

LINK

Solon says PFP, Lakas-CMD emerging as dominant parties

QUIET OPPOSITION?

Diokno also addressed the opposition's supposed "silence," pointing out that they "suffer from a very big disadvantage." 

"It's very difficult for us to get airtime, unlike people who are already in office. Media is always there," he said.

When asked about the Dutertes positioning themselves as the opposition, Diokno said it was expected but added that the country needs "independent-minded people."

Charter change being used for term extension, Duterte warns

"I think there is really a significant part of the population that's looking for something else, the kind of leader that perhaps we haven't had for some time," he said. — Rowegie Abanto, ABS-CBN News