Aquino confirms Grace Poe on LP senatorial ticket

MANILA, Philippines – Two more senatorial candidates have been added to the Liberal Party’s shortlist. 

On Sunday, September 9, President Benigno Aquino III told reporters in Vladivostok, Russia that Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares and former Sen Ramon Magsaysay Jr. will be joining the ruling party’s senatorial slate in 2013. Aquino was attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit then.

Liberal Party (LP) sources said Llamanzares had expressed interest to be included in the administration’s slate, although she was being considered as a guest candidate by Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile however said Llamanzares will be part of the UNA slate.

As early as June, LP president Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said he was eyeing Llamanzares.

According to the same LP sources, the administration would field a complete slate of 12 senatorial bets, which the President would campaign for as a whole.

“No two platforms, (candidates) might have conflicting loyalties if endorsed by a different coalition of parties,” sources privy to campaign preparations said.

President Aquino also told reporters that discussions are still ongoing on the final lineup.

“We are still negotiating as to who will be included and conversely who will be excluded,” he said on the sidelines of APEC.

The filing of the certificates of candidacies starts in October. Llamanzares, daughter of the late former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr, will finish her term as MTRCB chief by the end of the month — by which time she ends her one-year appointment. 

Llamanzares joins former Akbayan party list representative Risa Hontiveros, Aurora Rep Sonny Angara, and guest candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on LP’s shortlist.

Aquino was mum about Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chair Joel Villanueva, who had previously been named as part of the shortlist.– Rappler.com

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