Macalintal's possible Senate bid gets VP Leni's endorsement

Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday endorsed the possible Senate candidacy of her election lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, in the 2019 midterm elections.

Macalintal, who is representing Robredo in the election protest case filed by former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, is included in the opposition's shortlist for next year's elections.

"The fact that he is in the shortlist is a vote of confidence from me," Robredo said. "All of my lawyers here know that it is hard to battle Marcos, so we have to choose someone who will really fight for the truth."

"Everyone of those in the shortlist has our trust," she added.

Robredo, who chairs the Liberal Party, described Macalintal as "very deserving."

Macalintal, on the other hand, has yet to make up his mind regarding a possible candidacy.

"I am considering it, given a chance, to try politics," he said. "I have been assisting politicians in winning the election [as their counsel], I am wondering if I could apply it to myself."

Macalintal, however, looked very ready to join the fray with less than two weeks left before the filing of candidacy, as he already has a slogan, an apparent campaign jingle, and advocacy to push for.

"Wala pa akong final decision, but when I decide to file my certificate of candidacy, you can say, save your last vote for me. Save your vote for honesty and integrity. Save your vote for senior citizens, save it for Persons With Disabilities. Save your last vote for me," he said, taking a cue from the song "Save The Last Dance" by The Drifters.

"Puwede ring, 'Save your last vote for Mac'," he added.

So far, the LP has three locked in candidates for the 2019 polls: Sen. Bam Aquino, former Deputy Speaker Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III, and De La Salle University College of Law Dean Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno — all scions of the opposition figures during the Martial Law regime. —KBK, GMA News