Alvarez to ask Duterte to include Aguirre in 2019 senatorial ticket

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday included Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II in his choices for the administration’s senatorial slate in the 2019 midterm elections.

Speaking at the 81st founding anniversary program of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Alvarez said Aguirre deserved a spot in the senatorial lineup of the ruling PDP-Laban party chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Itong si Secretary Vit Aguirre, kung ako lang ang tatanungin ninyo, ito ay dapat kasama sa line up ng senatorial candidates ng PDP sa 2019. Susuportahan ko po ang kandidatura ni Secretary Vit Aguirre,” Alvarez said during the program attended by former and current NBI officials and Aguirre himself.

Alvarez said he would try to convince Duterte to reconsider the latter’s position not to field Cabinet members in the next elections.

“Malayo pa naman ang 2019 so in between baka makumbinsi din si Pangulo,” the speaker told reporters.

He said Aguirre, a veteran lawyer and PDP Laban-Quezon province chairperson, is needed in the Senate to help shepherd the administration’s legislative agenda.

Alvarez said Aguirre only “smiled” when he broached the idea of drafting the Justice chief for a Senate run.

Sought for comment, Aguirre said he was suprised by Alvarez’s announcement.

“Ang sa akin diyan eh what(ever) will be, will be; que sera sera. Kung ano ang hinihingi ng panahon at pagkakataon,” Aguirre said.

The Cabinet official added his decision whether to run will depend on the opinion of the President and his possibility of winning.

“Puwede mangyari yun kung si Presidente mismo magtatanong sa akin but dapat naman meron tayong chance to win,” Aguirre said.

Apart from Aguirre, Alvarez mentioned Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Representatives Karlo Nograles (Davao City), Alfredo Benitez (Negros Occidental), Geraldine Roman (Bataan), and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino as potential Senate candidates.

Alvarez said the Senate ticket will be headed by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. — RSJ, GMA News