LP to firm up senatorial slate, coalition

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II

MANILA, Philippines — A member of the Liberal Party said Thursday that they will continue talks with other parties in forming its coalition within the week and in formalizing its senatorial slate by next week.

House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II told reporters that they would resume talks with the Nationalist People’s Coalition on Friday. He said that they sought to settle who from the NPC would be running for seats at the Senate next year.

“We hope to resolve it early next week,” said the majority leader, adding their agreement with the Nacionalista Party in their coalition was separate from that with the NPC.

LP secretary general newly confirmed Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said that their party had a deep reservoir of  candidates.

He said that there were 15 to 16 names in the mix but urged the public to wait for President Benigno Aquino III to officially name their senatorial slate.

Asked whether Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada made it, Abaya said that his Tanada was one of the 15 or 16 names on the list. Tanada earlier mulled bowing out of the senatorial race if he would not be backed by the leadership of the LP.

Gonzales meanwhile said that they were still waiting for a decision on who among the NPC will run under the coalition. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Senator Loren Legarda and Cagayan Representative Jack Enrile are being groomed by LP.