Aquino cousin, Madrigal take oath as LP members

Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV. Malacañang photo

MANILA, Philippines—Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and former Sen. Jamby Madrigal on Friday took their oath before President Benigno Aquino III as members of the Liberal Party (LP) in Malacañang, officials said.

“He (Bam) took his oath after Jamby,” Strategic Communication Secretary Ricky Carandang said in a text message, confirming their oath-taking.

The oath-taking came three days before the start of the filing of certificate of candidacy on Monday for next year’s mid-term elections.

Former Sen. Jamby Madrigal. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Aquino IV, the President’s cousin, and Madrigal are reportedly on the administration senatorial slate that is filled with candidates from LP’s coalition partners Nacionalista Party and Nationalist People’s Coalition.

“They’re part of the slate,” a party official said by phone.

The official did not rule out the possibility that Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon would be tapped to fill the 12th slot. Biazon had earlier said he had been asked by the President to stay at the Bureau of Customs. The official said the ticket would be announced Monday.

Madrigal, a former senator who lost her bid for the presidency in 2010, is the author of the Magna Carta for Women and the Tubbataha Reef National Park Act.