MANILA, Philippines - His cousin, President Benigno Aquino III, anchored his presidential campaign against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But in the May elections, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino can expect the support of Arroyo's party mates.

After all, Bam's father, Paul, had served as a longtime election strategist of Mrs Arroyo and the erstwhile ruling party, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD). Paul Aquino managed the campaign of Arroyo's senatorial slate in 2001.

House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said Wednesday, January 20, that Aquino, a Liberal Party senatorial candidate, is likely to be one of the senators that Lakas-CMD will be supporting in May.

"I cannot speak for myself. I'm speaking for my province [Quezon]. But I believe this is also the sentiment of my party mates," Suarez said in a press conference.

Suarez said Bam Aquino's father is "a good friend and a nice person."

Lakas will be supporting candidates from the administration coalition and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), though most of their favored bets would come from UNA, he added. These include Zambales Rep Mitos Magsaysay and Cagayan Rep Juan Ponce "Jack" Enrile, Jr. They will also support Sen Francis "Chiz" Escudero, a shared candidate of UNA and Team PNoy.

Lakas used to hold the majority bloc in Congress when Arroyo was still in power. The party started 2010 with 140 members in the House of Representatives. In 2013, they were left with 26 members, comprising the minority bloc. - Rappler.com

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