A Muslim lawmaker. The chair of a major House committee. A defeated senatorial candidate now belonging to President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet. The country’s first transgender legislator. A trusted aide of Mr. Duterte. The most powerful member of the Senate.
These were among Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s candidates for senator next year under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) ticket.
Alvarez’s list would leave only four empty slots in the ruling party’s ticket.
At the mass oathtaking of 4,000 new PDP-Laban members at the North Caloocan Sports Complex in Caloocan City, Alvarez listed these legislators and officials as his choice for senatorial candidates:
Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, a Muslim
• Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chair of the House justice committee
• Francis Tolentino, defeated senatorial candidate in 2016 and now presidential adviser on politics
• Harry Roque, former human rights lawyer and now presidential spokesperson
• Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, the country’s first transgender legislator
• Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles, a former political rival of the Duterte family in Davao City
• Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, whose father founded PDP-Laban
• Christopher “Bong” Go, Mr. Duterte’s most trusted aide
All eight were known either for their close association with the President or for being stalwarts of the ruling party.
Alvarez said Mr. Duterte chose Mangudadatu to provide Moro representation in the Senate and Roman to provide the lesbian gay bisexual and transgender community a voice in the chamber.
The party, however, has yet to release its official senatorial lineup for 2019.
Margaux “Mocha” Uson, assistant communications secretary, was not mentioned.