(Eagle News) — Ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is welcome to join the Liberal Party slate if she decides to run for the Senate in 2019, Senator Francis Pangilinan said.
According to Pangilinan, the LP president, Sereno “would be a strong addition” if that was the case.
“And if she is willing to help us lead and she wishes to lead the opposition, we welcome all efforts at uniting the opposition so that we have a strong pushback in defending and upholding our democratic rights,” he said.
So far, he said the LP had as possible candidates reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino, and Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano.
Barry Gutierrez of Akbayan party-list, former Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada and Chel Diokno, human rights lawyer, and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay’s were also being considered.
He said they were also trying to persuade actress Agot Isidro to join.
He said Vice President Leni Robredo, the highest-ranking elected official of the LP, will have the last say in whom to include in the ticket.
“But she has also expressed her desire that the process be participatory, dapat consultative at inclusive, ibig sabihin malawak ang partisipasyon ng iba’t ibang grupo at mga indibidwal,” he said.
“Bukas naman tayo sa sinumang interesado basta ang ating basis of unity ay maliwanag na tutol tayo sa EJK, tutol tayo sa policy of appeasement sa West Philippine Sea, at siyempre tutol tayo sa corruption at iba pang pang-aabuso,” he noted.
Voting 8-6, the Supreme Court upheld its earlier decision nullifying Sereno’s appointment as Chief Justice, citing what it said was her lack of integrity when she did not file all her Statements of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth, among other things.
Sereno blamed President Rodrigo Duterte for what she said was an “unjust decision,” and vowed to be vocal about issues that plague the country.
She said, however, that she had yet to decide whether she would run for public office or not.