Sara Duterte named among possible PDP-Laban senatorial candidates

By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
THE PARTIDO Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has named 24 possible candidates for its senatorial slate in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.
In a letter to President Rodrigo R. Duterte dated Aug. 15, Senator Aquilino Martin L. Pimentel III informed Mr. Duterte, the ruling party’s chairman, that PDP-Laban may tap party and non-party members as well as the re-electionist senators.
“I am seeking guidance from the party chairman on how to proceed because we are too many right now,” Mr. Pimentel told reporters after a Senate hearing, adding that not all personalities named have expressed their intention to run for senator.
Party members being considered include Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, presidential political adviser Francis N. Tolentino, Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles, Maguindanao Rep. Zajid G. Mangudadatu, Bataan Rep. Geraldine B. Roman, Makati City Rep. Manuel Monsour T. Del Rosario III, Singer Freddie Aguilar, broadcaster Jiggy Manicad, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo B. Benitez, Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo E. Cua, and Mr. Pimentel himself.
Non-party members include Davao City mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chair Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa, actor Robin Padilla, former senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid, former interior secretary Rafael M. Alunan III, broadcaster Ramon T. Tulfo, presidential spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., and Taguig Rep. Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano.
Mr. Pimentel in his letter also included the five re-electionist senators — Senators Cynthia A. Villar, Juan Edgardo M. Angara, Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares and Nancy S. Binay-Angeles — who he said has been “general supportive” of the administration.
“I hope that the Party Leadership can sit down with you, as the Party Chairman, at the earliest possible time so we can talk about party matters and prepare for the fast approaching May 2019 elections,” Mr. Pimentel said in his letter.