Cayetano eyes 30 senatorial bets if chosen as NP standard bearer

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Thursday he has listed up to 30 potential senatorial bets who may be included in his ticket if the Nacionalista Party chooses him to be its standard-bearer in 2016.

He said the NP will make the decision probably before the end of the year at the earliest or at the latest, second quarter of 2015.

Cayetano said he has a personal list but admits it might still be premature to form a slate. ‘‘What if you’re not chosen to run [for president], ‘’ he said.

“Ako personally, may listahan ako (Personally, I have a list),” Cayetano told reporters on Thursday .

“Analysis pa lang kasi too premature na magbuo. E pano kung hindi ikaw ang mapiling tatakbo (It’s just an analysis because it’s too premature to form [the senatorial ticket]. What if you’re not chosen to run [for president].”

Cayetano said part of the analysis was counting the number of incumbent, retired and potential senators.

“Not necessarily written down but it’s a list of names of around 20 to 30 people, including potentials,” he said.

Part of the preparation, Cayetano added, was “to be open-minded and to build coalitions.”

“Magandang ligawan ang PDP and then malamang magpatakbo din sila ng mga senador nila,” he said, referring to Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) –Laban now being headed by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

The NP’s senatorial ticket, he said, might be available after the group meets and decides who would be its standard-bearer.

Cayetano said the selection of the standard-bearer would be fair so that it would not result to any ill feeling among its members.

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