Robredo names 5 senatoriables under her slate
FILE PHOTOS Opposition’s senatorial candidates: Senators Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former Senator Antonio Trillanes, and former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat.
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday said she was given “free rein” by opposition coalition 1Sambayan to choose the Senate candidates under her ticket as she named at least five of her senatorial bets.
In a press conference, Robredo said her senatorial slate will be formed by aspirants coming from different groups and political parties.
Robredo chairs the Liberal Party but will run for president as an independent candidate to show inclusivity.
“Yung 1Sambayan noong kinakausap ko sila, in fact, I’m meeting them again today. Nung nakausap ko sila ang sabi nila magno-nominate sila. But they will be giving me free rein sa pagpili,” Robredo said.
(I’ve been talking to 1Sambayan, in fact, I’m meeting them again today. When I talked to them previously, they said they will nominate people. But they will be giving me free rein in choosing.)
“But we are keeping them abreast kung ano na yung mga [on the] discussions,” she added.
Robredo named at least five aspirants that will be included under her slate, namely Senators Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima, veteran human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat.
Pangilinan, Aquino out of Senate race
Baguilat will be filling the spot of Senator Francis Pangilinan, who is setting aside his senatorial bid after being picked by Robredo as her vice presidential running mate.
“Yung slot na iniwan ni Sen. Kiko, yung magpapalit sa kanya is former congressman Teddy Baguilat [The slot of Sen. Kiko will be filled by former congressman Teddy Baguilat],” Robredo said.
Former Senator Bam Aquino is also setting aside his bid for a Senate comeback to head Robredo’s presidential campaign.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya kasi ang plano niya talaga was to run for the Senate pero nung nagdesisyon ako I told him, na hindi ako tutuloy kung wala siya sa tabi ko. Kasi alam niyo naman na halos baguhan naman ako sa pulitika,” the vice president said.
(I am thankful because he really plans to run for the Senate but when I made my decision I told him I will not push through without him by my side. Because you know, I am a newbie in politics.)
“And hindi ko magagawa yung kampanya without him dahil siya na yung kasama ko noong 2016. And si Sen. Bam, iniwan niya yung kanyang plano to go full time into the campaign,” she added.
(And I can’t do this campaign without him because he was with me in my campaign in 2016. Sen. Bam, he dropped his plan to go full time into the campaign.)
Robredo said she will disclose more names and present her complete senatorial ticket in the coming days.
“Yung iba meron nang mga nag-confirm na iba pero hindi pa kami nakakahingi ng authority para sabihin yung mga pangalan nila [Some have confirmed but for others, we have yet to get authority to announce their names],” she said.
“Pero ito ay maa-assure ko na iba’t iba yung pinaggalingan [But I can assure you that they are from different groups],” she added.
