By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service
Senate President Koko Pimentel on Thursday, April 19, released a list of individuals being considered for the senatorial ticket of ruling party PDP-Laban for the 2019 midterm elections.
Among those being considered, Pimentel said, were re-electionist Senators Sonny Angara, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito and Nancy Binay.
Also being considered were Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Reps. Ace Barbers, Albie Benitez, Carlo Nograles, Geraldine Roman, Rey Umali and Pia Cayetano.
Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Presidential Adviser Francis Tolentino, Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, Raffy Alunan, media practitioner Jiggy Manicad, and singer Freddie Aguilar are also being eyed, Pimentel said.
Also to be considered were former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte if they expressed their intention to run.
He said retired Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa was not being considered because he was not a member of the party and he did not declare his intent to run for a Senate seat.
Pimentel said the final line-up could be released in August or in September, after consultations with the public through a survey, and after consulting with President Rodrigo Duterte, the party chair.
“I think the final list, I will give him (President) a progress report na parang, Mr. President, as of the moment these are the personalities being considered as PDP Laban candidates for 2019 and then separate ko sa 2nd column already, party member and non-party member, para makita niya,” Pimentel said.
“Mabigat ang role niya sa pagpili. We will defer to his final decision because my plan is to ask him to be main campaigner for senatorial, not the campaign manager ha, the campaigner,” he added.