Reelectionists, Freddie Aguilar in Koko Pimentel’s senatorial line-up

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III on Thursday bared the names of 20 personalities that President Rodrigo Duterte’s party is considering to include in its 12-person senatorial lineup for the 2019 mid-term elections.

Pimentel's list of possible PDP-Laban senatorial candidates  includes reelectionist senators including himself, House members, officials in the executive branch, media personalities and Duterte’s favorite folk singer Freddie Aguilar.

He described the line-up as an "evolving list."

In a phone interview, Pimentel first mentioned the names reelectionists including Senators Grace Poe, Juan Edgardo Angara, Cynthia Villar, Joseph Victor Ejercito, and Nancy Binay.

“These are the five na kasama ko sa majority,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel also included, as mentioned to him by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Representatives Ace Barbers, Alfredo ‘Albee’ Benitez, Karlo Nograles, Zajid Mangudadatu, Geraldine Roman, Reynaldo Umali, Pia Cayetano.

He said from the executive branch, they are considering Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, presidential adviser on political affairs Francis Tolentino.

Pimentel said he will include Aguilar in the list as he is the latest party member who expressed desire to run for Senate.

He said among the non-party members being considered, as mentioned by party leaders, are Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and former Interior secretary Rafael Alunan.

GMA News' Jiggy Manicad is also being considered, Pimentel said.

“Party member na kasi si Jiggy Manicad e, may na-mention ako na media personality na kinoconsider ko,” he said.

In statement, Manicad said it was a time for him to pray for guidance.

He said he would have wanted to include broadcaster Erwin Tulfo but he is not a party member and is yet to express his willingness to join the party.

“Kung magsalita siya (Tulfo) agad, I’m open to consider him,” he said.

Pimentel said he is also included in the list of reelectionists.

“Sabihin natin sa taumbayan, pagkatapos ng mahabang listahan na yan, huwag din nila akong kalimutan,” he said.

He said the list which he described as evolving is a result of the series of meetings.

“Evolving pa ito. Dito sa mga names na binanggit ko wala akong masabing may objection siya at walang masabi na may objection din ako. Iyan ang list na kinompile ko,” he said.

Asked on former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who earlier said that a PDP-Laban official is talking to him, Pimentel said Ejercito is already included on the list. He said that he is choosing Ejercito of his brother.

“Andyan si JV sa listahan e, sana ma-gets na ninyo. Commitment ko kay JV ‘yan na ipu-push ko  ‘yung inclusion n’ya sa PDP-Laban,” he said.

Ejercito thanked Pimentel for his “trust and confidence, but it was really his decision, there is no condition imposed that there should only be one member of the family.”

He said he did not ask the Senate chief to choose between him and Ejercito.

“No I did not. Perhaps SP (Senate President) Koko knows the performance of his colleagues in the Senate, that is probably his basis for giving priority to re-electionists. I thank SP Koko for fighting for his colleagues!” he said in a message to reporters when sought for comment. —NB, GMA News