LP’s possible 2022 Senate bets: De Lima, Pangilinan, Hontiveros, Diokno, Aquino

Former Senator Bam Aquino (left) and veteran rights lawyer Chel Diokno. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Liberal Party (LP) members have initially proposed three incumbent senators, a former senator, and veteran rights lawyer to form part of its Senate slate in the 2022 elections.

This was revealed Friday by the opposition party’s vice president for internal affairs and former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat.

According to him, LP’s grassroots chapters and organizing committees proposed the inclusion of party president Senator Francis Pangilinan, Senator Leila de Lima,  Senator Risa Hontiveros, former Senator Bam Aquino, and Atty. Chel Diokno in their preliminary list of senatorial bets for next year’s polls.

Baguilat said more than 250 participants from 153 LP chapters and organizing committees nationwide held an online general assembly on Friday, August 20.

“Sa ngayon meron po tayong tatlong incumbents na up for re-elections. Dalawa sa kanila ay Liberal Party members, at isa naman ay dati na nating kaalyado: We have our Party President Sen. Francis Pangilinan, si Sen. Leila de Lima, at si Sen. Risa Hontiveros,” Baguilat said in a statement.

“Kasama na rin ang dalawa pa na maaaring kandidato… Si dating Sen. Bam Aquino at si Atty. Chel Diokno,” he added.

LP is among opposition political parties looking to form a united coalition for the upcoming elections to challenge the administration’s anointed candidate. The party’s chairperson, Vice President Leni Robredo, has been rumored to run for president in 2022. But she has yet to announce any final political plans as her term as second-highest leader of the nation comes to an end next year.

So far, Robredo has been meeting other potential presidential aspirants and other political groups in a bid to forge alliances.

KGA