Erin Tañada shelves Senate bid, will not run even as an independent

After being bumped off the senatorial lineup of the administration coalition, Liberal Party member and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III on Thursday said he will not be running for the Senate in 2013 even as an independent candidate. “After serious reflection and consultation with my family, friends and supporters, I have decided NOT to pursue my Senate bid even as an independent candidate,” Tañada said in a press statement. Tañada admitted he was invited by Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada to join the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) coalition, as well as by the MAKABAYAN Coalition, but he declined both invitations. True believer   “As a true believer that we must persist in having consistent political parties as part of our national building effort and as an advocate for political party and campaign reform, I had respectfully declined their invitation,” Tañada said. Tañada, son of former Senator Wigberto Tañada and grandson of former Senator Lorenzo Tañada, also confirmed President Benigno Aquino III’s statement that he “sacrificed” himself so the president would have a “free hand” in choosing who he believes should comprise the administration ticket.   He thanked those who supported his intention to run for the Senate as he also assured the public that he will remain a most willing partner in pushing for the people’s issue and “commit to continue serving the people in whatever capacity in the future.”   Tañada is on his third term as representative of the 4^th district of Quezon province, which means he is not eligible for re-election next year. He, however, can run for the same post in the 2016 elections.  Admin bets   Only three senatorial contenders from the administration coalition are from the ruling Liberal Party. The others are from coalition partners.    The LP members are Aquino’s cousin Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, and former senators Ramon “Jun” B. Magsaysay Jr. and Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” A.S. Madrigal.   Candidates from the Nacionalista Party are incumbent Senators Antonio F. Trillanes IV and Alan Peter C. Cayetano, and former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia A. Villar, wife of Sen. Manny Villar, who was one of Aquino’s opponents in the 2010 presidential elections.   Also on the list but running independent of any party are Senator Francis G. Escudero and Movies and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chair Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares.   Completing the lineup are Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino), Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” L. Pimentel III (Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan), former Akbayan party-list Rep. Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel, and Senator Loren B. Legarda (Nationalist People's Coalition).   In his speech during the announcement of the senatorial slate last Oct. 1, Aquino thanked Tañada, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) head Joel Villanueva for setting aside their respective political careers at his personal behest.   Rift within LP?    A political analyst, meanwhile, believed some LP members became disgruntled by the fact that only three party members are in the senatorial slate.   “There are factions within LP who are at odds on certain decisions that have been made by the leadership. There are individuals within LP who are dismayed that in an LP coalition, there are only three Liberal Party members,” Dr. Prospero de Vera said in an interview with GMA reporter Raffy Tima.   LP member and Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat believed Tañada should have been part of the administration coalition.   “Sa tingin ko yung mababang ratings, tataas ‘yan o mahahatak kung masama sana si Erin doon sa administration slate… ‘Yung basbas lang ng Pangulo, malaki na ang epekto sa pagtaas ng kanyang rating,” he said.   “I know that there are moves especially from the civil society organizations who have been supporting his views…It doesn’t necessarily mean na you’re against the president if you file as an LP independent,” he added. No ill feelings   But according to Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Tañada should not harbor any ill feelings toward the president for his exclusion from the senatorial lineup.   “Bahagi naman ng kanyang personal na desisyon din ‘yung sinasabi niya sa Pangulo na hindi muna siya ngayon, so I don’t know his personal sentiments at this point, but my assessment is hindi naman dapat [sumama ang kanyang loob],” he said.   Another LP stalwart, Sen. Franklin Drilon, said Tañada will be given a post. “He will be given a post, I just do not know what,” he said.   Drilon was also confident that Tañada will remain with the LP. Sa palagay ko naman hindi siya sasama sa UNA. Siguro naman ilang beses na kaming nag-usap at siguro naman naiintindihan ni rin ang desisyon ng Pangulo.” — KBK, GMA News