MANILA, Philippines—Seven more names have been mentioned, including television host Edu Manzano and Sonia Roco, as possible senatorial candidates of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s Liberal Party in the upcoming elections, his campaign manager disclosed on Monday.

Former congressman Florencio “Butch” Abad confirmed that Roco and detained Brigadier General Danilo Lim were “seriously” being considered to be part of Aquino’s “People’s Coalition” while Manzano was in the long list of the group.

Abad said the party also offered Senator Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal to join the coalition but the discussion was put on hold when the latter declared her presidential bid.

“May usapang nangyayari pero nasaan ba siya ngayon? Hindi pa sya umaatras (Talks have been going on but where is she now? She hasn’t backed out yet),” he said over the phone.

“We have opened the channels of communication with her and we are just awaiting word from her. If she decides to withdraw from the race, then [we] will renew the talks with her,” he added.

Also in the long list, Abad said, were Grace Poe, daughter of the late Fernando Poe Jr. and former Senator Ralph Recto.

“Si Edu mayroon ng usapan dun. Kailangan lang i-firm up. Yung kay Grace naman, she is still with Chiz so until Chiz clarifies his plans next year, hindi pa natin malalaman kung masasama sa grupo si Grace (There is an agreement with Edu. It just needs to be firmed up…We will not yet know if Grace will be able join the group),” he said.

Chiz is Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who has yet to decide whether or not to join the presidential race next year.

Abad said the group has no formal discussion yet with Recto.

Aquino’s party mate in the Liberal Party, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada might also be included in the line-up once his father, former President Joseph Estrada, withdraws from the race.

But Abad expressed doubts that the former leader would withdraw from the race, saying that all indications showed that Estrada would file his certificate of candidacy.

So far, Aquino has six confirmed senatorial bets and they are former Senators Franklin Drilon and Sergio Osmena III, former congressman Nereus Acosta, Bukidnon Representative Teofisto Guingona III, Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros, and Muntinlupa Representative Rufino Biazon.