PDP-Laban trims number of senatorial bets for 2019

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

The number of possible senatorial candidates of the ruling PDP-Laban is now down to 22, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Thursday.

Pimentel, president of PDP-Laban, earlier endorsed to party chair President Rodrigo Duterte 24 names as possible bets in next year’s senatorial race.

“From 24, were down to 22,” Pimentel said in an interview at the Senate.

The senator, however, refused to name the two who were removed from the shortlist.

“Hindi ko na banggitin kasi hindi na sila tatakbo. Huwag na nating banggitin,” Pimentel said.

(I will no longer mention their names because they will not run anyway. Let’s not mention them anymore.)

“Nagsabi hindi sila tatakbo. Huwag na nating pipilitin [They informed us that they will not run. Let’s not force them],” he added.

Pimentel said the party would meet on Friday and he hopes to get Duterte’s guidance on how they would finalize their senatorial slate.

Asked about the possibility that the party could come up with its final slate during the meeting, the senator said: “It’s a long shot. Magandang development yun [it’s a good development] if we can do it.”

“But happy na ako if we can come up with the steps to follow how to reduce the number of names,” he added.

Pimentel was among the names in the list along with party mates, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go; Secretary Francis Tolentino; Reps. Karlo Nograles Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu, Geraldine Roman, Monsour del Rosario, Alfredo Benitez, and Dakila Carlo Dax Cua; singer Freddie Aguilar; and Jiggy Manicad.

Actor Robin Padilla, presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and the five reelectionist senators— Senator Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Grace Poe, and Nancy Binay— were also on the list. /jpv

READ: Robin Padilla, Sara Duterte among PDP’s possible senatorial bets for 2019