LP combines veterans and one newcomer in senatorial lineup

Published October 12, 2015 9:21am

(Updated 1:01 p.m.) A combination of veteran politicians, former and current Cabinet secretaries and lawmakers, and a newcomer will compose the senatorial lineup of the Liberal Party for the May 2016 polls.

In a program Monday morning, administration presidential bet Mar Roxas introduced Senate President Franklin Drilon, LP vice chairman, as one of their senatorial candidates.

"Isa siya sa naging matibay na haligi para makapasa ang landmark legislations ng administrasyon, ang Big Man ng Senado," Roxas said of Drilon, who then introduced the rest.

The complete list of LP senatorial candidates for the 2016 elections is as follows:

Senate President Franklin Drilon
Senate Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto
Senator Teofisto Guingona III
Former senator and former food security czar Francis Pangilinan
Former senator and former Yolanda rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson
Former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima
Former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla
Former TESDA Director General Secretary Joel Villanueva
TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid
former Akbayan Representative and current PhilHealth Director and Risa Hontiveros
COOP NATCCO Party List Rep Cresente Paez
DILG Assistant Secretary for Muslim Affairs and Special Concerns and former Maguindanao officer-in-charge Nariman Ambolodto.

The good fight

Drilon said they are "ready, willing and able to fight a good fight in 2016."

"We will carry the torch of Daang Matuwid," he said.

He described Recto as one of the most productive senators and Pangilinan as fiercely independent-minded and untainted with corruption.

Drilon said Lacson, who skipped the program, was absent as he is presiding over the meeting of PNP Foundation.

Drilon, meanwhile, described De Lima as the "woman with balls," introduced Hontiveros as a brave lawmaker, and praised Petilla as an "action man." He also labeled Villanueva as "Mr. Trabaho" and noted Guingona for his track record.

Lapid, current chief operating officer of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprises Zone Authority, was introduced as the youngest senatorial bet of LP.

Drilon asked LP members and supporters to campaign for Ambolodto, the only newcomer in the lineup.

"She did not come from a wealthy or influential family and was an internally displaced person. She was a bakwit but war and poverty did not stop her from pursuing her studies. Ikampanya nyo siya ng todo," he said.

Completing the slate was Paez, who was described as a dynamic civil society leader.

Balanced lineup

Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, LP vice president for political affairs, described the lineup as balanced.

"Meron tayong incumbent senators, comebacking senators na nag-serve sa executive department, meron tayong Cabinet members at meron from sectoral groups so well-balanced 'yung linya ng Liberal Party," he told reporters before the event at LP headquarters in Quezon City.

"Palagay ko LP lang naman 'yung makakapagbuo ng tiket para sa Senado na masasabi nating balanse. Hindi magkakaiba iba ng prinsipyo," he added.

He said that Paez is a three-term congressman.

"Siya ang number 1 nominee ng COOP Naatco, isang grupo na may 10 milyong miyembro at ang network ay sa buong bansa. Kinakailangan din naman ng sectoral representative sa Senado para may tuwirang magsusulong ng kanilang adbokasiya," he said.

He added that Ambolodto was included to give voice to the Mindanaoans.

"Kailangan natin ng isang kandidato mula sa South, one with our Muslim brothers so nakita natin na si Atty. Ambolodto ay isang perfect example ng isang mahirap na Muslim na lumaki sa evacuation center, nagsikap at nag-aral at umasenso," said Erice.

On the inclusion of Lacson in the line up, Erice said the former senator will provide check and balance in the government.

"Ok din naman 'yung may checks and balances, ayos lang sa isang gobyerno na transparent at OK lang na may criticisms. Mas maganda nga 'yun," he said. —KG/KBK, GMA News

Tags: liberalparty, eleksyon2016