Pimentel: PDP-Laban candidates for 2019 polls must back federalism

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

The candidates that the PDP-Laban will field in the 2019 national and local elections must pursue the basic objectives of the party – particularly, federalism.

“Our common bond, number one is you must be a party member. And you are a federalism advocate, you believe in federalism, among others,” said PDP-Laban party president Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Pimentel, along with party vice chairperson Al Cusi, on Thursday submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) the PDP-Laban’s list of authorized signatories for the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) on national and local posts.

The CONA, which also serves as the party’s official endorsement will be used by candidates during the filing of their respective Certificate of Candidacy (COC) next month for the 2019 mid-term polls.

“In the rules and regulations of the Comelec, we need to file a list of people to issue CONA. We submitted more than a hundred names since our approach is on a per province basis and highly urbanized cities,” Pimentel said.

To date, he said they already have nine senatorial bets in their line-up.

Apart from him, PDP-Labams senate slate also include former PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Francis Tolentino, and congressmen Dax Cua, Monsour del Rosario, Dong Mangudadatu, and Carlo Nograles. /kga