Ex-Senator Tañada: Future is dim if admin bets take Senate control

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Wigberto Tañada on Tuesday said he does not know what the future will hold for the Philippines if the administration-backed senatorial candidates will have Senate control.

“‘Pag nahawakan pa ng administrasyon na ito ang Senado ay hindi ko na alam kung saan pupulutin ang tao,” Tañada told reporters in the sidelines of a forum in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Tañada, whose son former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada is also gunning for a Senate seat in the May  midterm elections under the Otso Diretso slate, advised voters to pick candidates based on their  qualifications and trustworthiness.

“Sana mapili nila ang dapat maging senador dahil napakahalaga ng halalang ito. Iyong iboboto ba nila ay may kwalipikasyon, may kaalaman, katapatan, mapagkakatiwalaan,” he added.

According to the latest nationwide Pulse Asia survey on the senatorial race, most of the candidates who made it to the “Magic 12” and the “Top 14” came from the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) slate of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and those from the line-up of President Rodrigo Duterte.

READ: Poe still leads senatorial survey; Bong Go barges into 3rd place

Eight HNP candidates made it to the “Magic 12” bracket led by reelectionist Senators Cynthia Villar (2nd) and Sonny Angara (4th); and former presidential aide Bong Go (3rd).

Meanwhile, only former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas II made it to the “Magic 12” from the Otso Diretso slate and placed 9th (8-12).

Following Roxas are fellow Otso Diretso bets Senator Bam Aquino (15th), followed by human rights lawyer Chel Diokno (24th), election lawyer Romulo Macalintal (26th), Tañada (27th), Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc (28th), Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano (32nd), and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay (42nd).

Despite the low rankings of the Otso Diretso bets, Tañada vowed to continue campaigning for his son and the rest of the slate, saying he believes they deserve to become senators. /muf