MANILA, Philippines?Senators Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III and Manuel ?Mar? Roxas II were formally nominated as presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively, of the Liberal Party (LP) during its national directorate meeting Monday in Quezon City.

During the gathering, the party also announced nine prospective candidates for its senatorial slates namely: former congressman Neric Acosta, Muntinlupa Representative Rufino Biazon, former Senator Franklin Drilon, Bukidnon Representative Teofisto Guingona III, Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros, detained general Danilo Lim, and former Senator Sergio Osmena III, former Senator Ralph Recto, and Sonia Roco, wife of the late Education Secretary Raul Roco.

Hontiveros also confirmed the slate in a separate news conference at the House of Representatives.

After the national directorate meeting, the LP will hold conventions in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to affirm its slate.