Aquino wants Risa Hontiveros to run for senator under Liberal Party

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday said he wanted defeated 2010 senatorial candidate and former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel to be included in the senatorial lineup of the Liberal Party (LP) for the 2013 elections.   In his speech during the 5th National Congress of Akbayan in Pasay City, Aquino, LP national chairman, said Akbayan had been supportive of his efforts to promote integrity, honesty, and accountability in the government.   “Ang mga katangiang ito mismo ang nag-udyok sa atin upang hikayatin si Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel na maging bahagi ng senatorial line-up ng Partido Liberal sa 2013. Saktong-sakto nga po ang tema ninyo: gusto natin ng magandang laban, at magandang kinabukasan, mula sa maganda, matalino at maabilidad na si Risa,” Aquino said.   The President earlier revealed that LP already has four senatorial bets including Hontiveros-Baraquel, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Joel Villanueva, and Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara.   Malacanang earlier defended Aquino’s ‘endorsement’ of the LP candidates saying it cannot be considered as premature campaigning as no certificate of candidacy has been filed yet. - VVP, GMA News