Duterte party finalizing senatorial lineup for Eleksyon 2022

An official from the PDP-Laban on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte is already finalizing the senatorial lineup of the ruling party for the 2022 national elections.

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is now finalizing his senatorial line-up composed of reelectionist, returning senators, cabinet members, and prominent personalities,” Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, PDP-Laban vice president for Visayas, told GMA News Online.

According to Evardone, the initial list includes Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III,  and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.

Also included were House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, Information and Communications chief Gregorio Honasan II, Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, former senator JV Ejercito, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Greco Belgica, and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar.

Personalities such as Willie Revillame and Robin Padilla and broadcaster Raffy Tulfo were also included in the list of possible senatorial candidates.

Evardone said Duterte would personally campaign for these candidates and that they will all be supported by the PDP-Laban.

The track record in public service, integrity, competence, and their unselfish commitment to serve the poor and the less fortunate are among the considerations in selecting these individuals, said the PDP-Laban official.

Asked about the target date of finalizing the lineup, Evardone said the President is still having consultations as there are a lot of aspirants who are seeking his endorsement.

“PRRD’s endorsement power is very potent because of his enormous popularity,” he said.

On Saturday, PDP-Laban held its national council assembly where acting president Senator Manny Pacquiao was ousted and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi was elected as new party president.

No less than Duterte, the party chairman, attended the gathering and led the oath-taking of the new officials, including Evardone.

Senators Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, party executive vice chairman, and Pacquiao have called the meeting as illegal.

Pacquiao's faction earlier kicked out Cusi as vice chairman and Melvin Matibag as deputy secretary-general for allegedly breaching the party constitution.

Pacquiao and Cusi have been at odds since early this year after the Energy secretary organized party meetings and assemblies without Pacquiao and Pimentel’s permission.

Malacañang, however, said Cusi has the blessing of Duterte to organize these gatherings.—AOL, GMA News