Lakas can muster only 7 for Senate
RE-ELECTIONIST senators, Cabinet secretaries, a town mayor, a businessman, and a mediaman are in the senatorial lineup of the Lakas-Kampi CMD.
The administration party so far has seven candidates. It is open to fielding a full 12-man slate with the inclusion of guest candidates, said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, party president, but "it’s better for us to have a compact team."
In the lineup are re-electionist senators and actors Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Manuel "Lito" Lapid, secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello III, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, radio anchor Reynante "Rey" Langit, businessman Jesus Arranza who is president of the Federation of Philippine Industries, and Ramon Guico Jr., mayor of Binalonan in Pangasinan and president of the League of Municipalities.
On guest senatorial candidates, Ermita said the party is considering Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, whom he described as "competent, useful, and very…valuable political leaders."
Asked about Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as guest candidate, Ermita said the matter has not been discussed.
Ermita said the party is also considering as senatorial candidates Bayani Fernando, MMDA chairman, and former Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane who are eyeing the presidency, in case they change their minds.
He said there might still be changes in senatorial lineup. He said Duque might opt not to run. Bello had earlier been reported to be considering running for congressman of Cagayan.
Plans will be firmed up tomorrow when the party holds its national convention at the PICC.
On Secretaries Margarito Teves (Finance) and Jesli Lapus (Education), Vicente Sotto III, chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board, Ermita said initial word was that they are not interested.
He said some Cabinet members prefer local posts. Among those reportedly eyeing House seats are Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chair Augusto "Buboy" Syjuco (Negros Occidental), Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap (Bohol), Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano (Cebu), Presidential Management Staff chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (Pangasinan), and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. (Camarines Sur).
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes is reportedly eyeing the mayoralty seat in Taguig City, and chief presidential legal counsel Raul Gonzalez, the mayoralty post of Iloilo City.
Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. is planning to reclaim the mayoralty post in Manila. He will be running against Avelino Razon, who recently gave up his post as presidential adviser on the peace process.
Ermita said he is considering running for the House seat in Batangas vice his daughter Rep. Aileen Ermita-Buhain who is in her third and last term. Ermita served for three terms as Batangas congressman.
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