Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Reelectionist Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri and former Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday expressed their gratitude for their inclusion in the 2022 senatorial slates of presidential aspirants Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senator Manny Pacquaio.
Zubiri, who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as an independent, maintained that he is loyal to the people, not to any party.
However, he said he is also a “team player” willing to work with individuals aiming to serve the Filipino first.
“I still remain an independent candidate—at the end of the day, ang loyalty ko po ay sa taumbayan, hindi sa anumang partido. But as a team player, I am willing and able to work alongside anyone who shares in our goal of serving the Filipino people first,” Zubiri said in a statement.
(I’m loyal to the people, not to any party.)
Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
For his part, Binay said his goal is to “rebuild the country” and “restore the dignity” of Filipinos from the pandemic.
“Maraming paraan para umahon sa pandemya, muling ibangon ang ekonomiya ng bansa, at pagandahin ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Ngunit hindi natin ito magagawa kung tayo ay magkakahiwalay. Kailangan nating magsama-sama,” he said in a separate statement.
(There are many ways to rise from the pandemic, revive the country’s economy, and make the lives of every Filipino better. We cannot do this divided. We need to be united.)
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who is gunning for a Senate comeback, said it is a “great honor” to be part of Robredo’s senatorial lineup.
“Ako at ang grupong Magdalo ay nirerespeto ang resulta ng selection process na ito. Higit pa rito, nakatuon kami sa pagpapanalo ng ating next President Leni Robredo,” he said in a separate statement.
(The Magdalo group and I respect the result of this selection process. More than this, we are focused on our efforts to help Robredo win as the next President.)
Another reelectionist, Senator Joel Villanueva, who is also endorsed by the three presidential aspirants, said his inclusion in the senatorial slates is “both a validation of our track record in the Senate and an affirmation that TESDAMAN is deserving and can continue to make a difference in the Senate.”
Villanueva, who filed as an independent candidate, said he is “ready to work” with any party that places job creation as a top priority.
“The massive joblessness in our country brought by the pandemic is a problem far too great that cannot be solved by any individual, group, or sector alone,” he said.
Robredo’s senatorial slate is made up of eleven candidates, including:
- Senator Richard Gordon
- Former senator Francis Escudero
- Senator Joel Villanueva
- Author and poet Alex Lacson
- Former Senator Sonny Trillanes
- Senator Risa Hontiveros
- Senator Leila De Lima
- Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno
- Former congressman Teddy Baguilat
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s senatorial slate is composed of:
- Broadcast journalist Raffy Tulfo
- Villanueva
- Escudero
- Legarda
- former Senate Secretary Lutgardo Barbo