Labor leader and lawyer Sonny Matula is the 12th candidate in the senatorial lineup of Vice President Leni Robredo in the 2022 national elections.
JUST IN: Atty. Sonny Matula ng Labor Party of the Philippines, pinangalanan bilang ika-12 miyembro ng senatorial slate ng tambalan nina VP Leni Robredo at Sen. Kiko Pangilinan | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/pAhej2HA2Q
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) October 22, 2021
The Vice President made the announcement on Friday, October 22, exactly a week after she announced the 11 other senatorial candidates in her slate.
“Ikinagagalak ko ngayong ihayag: isinusulong ko para sa Senado si Attorney Sonny Matula ng Labor Party Philippines,” she said in her announcement.
“Malinaw ang track record ni Attorney Sonny sa paglaban para sa karapatan ng mga manggagawang Pilipino. Humarap siya sa mga malalaking korporasyon, na ang tanging sandata ay paninindigan at husay sa abogasya. Isinusulong niya ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa. Isang adbokasiya na matagal na rin nating ipinaglalaban bago pa man ako pumasok sa pulitika,” she added.
Earlier reports claimed that Robredo was in talks with Matula and lawyer Neri Colmenares for the possible 12th senatorial candidate under the tandem of Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan.
In a statement, the labor leader welcomed his inclusion in Robredo's senatorial lineup.
"Ikinararangal ko po ang mapabilang sa mga kandidatong senador na ineendorso ni VP Leni. Ito ay tanda na seryoso si VP Leni na bitbitin at isulong ang laban ng manggagawa at ng batayang sektor sa darating na halalan," Matula said.
"Ang People’s Campaign ay karapat dapat lamang na may kinatawan sa senado na mula sa taumbayan, sa sektor na nasa laylayan—ang manggagawa," he added.
Matula, president of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and chairperson of the NAGKAISA Labor Coalition, is trying his luck again to secure a seat in the Senate following his failed bid in 2019.
