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A
MERRY mix of young and old politicians and movie
personalities will make up what an administration
legislator called a “powerhouse” senatorial ticket that
the Arroyo administration will unveil next week, when
the campaign period for senatorial bets officially
starts.
Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino Rep. Rodolfo Albano of
Isabela and Lakas Rep. Isidoro Real of Zamboanga del Sur
said the ruling coalition will field a full senatorial
slate, that they said would showcase the “best and the
brightest” in the administration.
Albano said the administration is choosing from a field
of 15 winnable senatorial wannabes, who boast of
sterling track record and impeccable integrity.
Albano said that with a powerhouse lineup, the
administration will gun for 12-0 in the senatorial race.
He
said two third-term legislators are assured of berths in
the ticket. These are Lakas Reps. Juan Miguel Zubiri of
Bukidnon and Prospero Pichay Jr. of Surigao del Sur.
Zubiri, a member of the so-called “Spice Boys” in the
House, chairs the House Committee on Legislative
Franchises, while Pichay sits as vice chairman of the
Commission on Appointments (CA).
Albano said Michael Defensor, President Arroyo’s chief
of staff, is also a shoo-in for the administration
ticket.
The
other candidates on the administration ticket are
reelectionist Sens. Manuel Villar, Joker Arroyo and
Ralph Recto and Edgardo Angara; Kampi Rep. Joey Salceda
of Albay, chairman of the House Committee on
Appropriations; Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson of Ilocos Sur;
and former senators Teresa Aquino-Oreta and Vicente
Sotto III.
Also
being considered in the unity ticket being organized by
the administration are actors Cesar Montano, Richard
Gomez and Edu Manzano, who chairs the Optical Media
Board.
He
said the administration bets will help change the
country’s political landscape and make the Senate a more
productive institution.
In
another development, Bangon Pilipinas National Renewal
Movement will decide within the week whether it will
field its own candidates in the coming elections or
support those that meet its criteria, Eduardo
Villanueva, the organization’s founder, announced
Monday.
Villanueva, who has just returned from a long trip to
the United States, urged “God-fearing people who have
the heart for serving the country” to run in the coming
polls and not allow corrupt leaders to remain in
government positions.
Villanueva, who ran and lost during the 2004
presidential elections, said people with the heart to
serve the country should run for government office
despite the fact that polls in the
Philippines
are marred by guns, goons, and gold.
“I
call on those who have the capability and competence to
run for public office with the right motive, do it for
the sake of our future generations,” he said.
Ted
Pascua, Bangon’s chief legal adviser, said the party may
field candidates in the local level.
“Many
of our members have expressed desire to run for local
positions and in fact, we are encouraging them to do
that,” he said, adding that those who would get Bangon’s
endorsement will have to go through stringent
evaluation. -- With C. Jimenez |
