Ratings not main factor in trimming down list of LP senatorial bets — Pangilinan

FORMER senator and food security czar Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said candidates who will make up the ruling Liberal Party’s senatorial slate will be chosen based on what they have already done and not just results of recent surveys.

“Syempre track record, experience,” he said when asked about factors to be considered when trimming down the list of prospective senatorial bets of LP.

Pangilinan, an LP stalwart and among those aspiring to return to Senate, said that although electoral polls are important, a lot can still happen in the several months leading to the May 2016 elections.

“Kahit mababa sa survey as long as maganda ang communication tataas ang rating ng prospective candidates,” he said in ambush interview after the LP Convention held in Quezon City.

(Even is a candidate ranks low in surveys, as long as the communication plan is good, the rating of that prospective candidates can still go up.)

Pangilinan, whose resignation as food security czar becomes effective on Thursday, confirmed that there are still 15 names being considered for the LP senatorial slate, which should only have 12 slots.

The 15 names include Pangilinan, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, and Senator Ralph Recto. All four were nominated during the LP convention although the party passed a resolution empowering presidential bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II to pick his running mate and senate slate.

Pangilinan said other personalities being considered are Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) head Joel Villanueva.

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