LP to bare 2019 senatorial lineup on October 9

The opposition Liberal Party is set to announce its senatorial lineup for the 2019 elections on October 9, two days before the start of the filing of certificate of candidacy, and it may not be a full slate.

"We're looking at ensuring na 'yung resources natin ay mabibigyan talaga ng prayoridad 'yung quality candidates, so it may not necessarily be a full slate," said Senator Francis Pangilinan, LP president, in Tina Panganiban-Perez's report on Unang Balita on Thursday.

So far, LP has bared only three senatorial bets — Senator Bam Aquino, former Deputy Speaker Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III, and De La Salle University College of Law Dean Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno.

Earlier reports said LP is also considering Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, former Senator Mar Roxas, former Bangsamoro Transition Commission member Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, and former Akbayan party-list Representative Barry Gutierrez.

LP also considered former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, as well as celebrities Dingdong Dantes and Agot Isidro, but the three had already thumbed down possible candidacy in next year's elections.

Meanwhile, administration party PDP-Laban has already come out with a shortlist in August. The list includes Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, and lawmakers Dakila Cua, Monsour del Rosario and Sajid Mangudadatu.

Five reelectionist senators — Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito, Grace Poe, Sonny Angara and Nancy Binay — are also being considered.

"Surveys show winnability, but in the PDP-Laban it's important that they also subcribe to our basic platform," Pimentel said.

Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the regional party of President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, is also considering the same lineup as PDP Laban's, but with the addition of Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and media personality Jiggy Manicad. —KBK, GMA News