Shalani Soledad to run for Congress under Aquino’s coalition in 2013

Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino’s ex-girlfriend is running for Congress under his administration-led coalition.

Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad-Romulo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer: “I’ll be running under the LP, NP NPC (Liberal Party-Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition) coalition for Congress.

The President and Soledad went steady for nearly two years and broke up in October 2010 because they could not keep up a relationship with their busy schedules. She married Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo, son of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, in January this year.

Asked if she expected the President to endorse her on stage during the campaign, Soledad, who has also gone to television hosting, said: “It’s best that you ask them (LP).”

The President and Soledad crossed paths last August when they visited evacuees at the Gen. T. de Leon High School in Valenzuela. “You know, you don’t invite me to Valenzuela these days. But this time, I guess it’s OK to visit you,” said the President to Soledad, which sent the crowd cheering.

Soledad has been a city councilor of Valenzuela City’s second district since 2004. An LP member, she was the main reason why President Aquino made a quick detour to Valenzuela City from his provincial campaign in 2010 to personally raise her hand in endorsement on stage.

She is expected to be the main rival of incumbent Valenzuela City Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo, an LP member, who is likely to run for a third and final term next year.

Soledad is so far the only serious girlfriend the President has had shortly before he made a successful run for the presidency in 2010.  They broke up just months after he assumed the presidency and the 52-year old bachelor leader has gone through a series of friendly dates with celebrity stylist Liz Uy and Manila-based Korean broadcaster Grace Lee since then.