Jamby in; Joel, Erin out of LP slate

Carmela Fonbuena

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A week before the filing of Certificates of Candidacies (COCs), the administration slate is nearly complete

JUMPING SHIPS: Former Senator Jamby Madrigal used to be a member of PDP-Laban

MANILA, Philippines – Former Sen Maria Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal has secured a slot in the administratin’s 2013 senatorial slate, sources in the Liberal Party (LP) confirmed on Monday, September 24.

She is doing well in the surveys, ranking 12-17 in the latest Pulse Asia survey. But the last political party Madrigal was associated with was the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

At the same time, Joel Villanueva, director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), announced Monday morning that he was dropping out of the senatorial race to remain in government.

It was not an easy decision, he told Rappler. “It was difficult. I have an aspiration to return to legislative work. I felt I have an unfinished business in Congress. But the decision of the majority of the people I have consulted and the request of the President  for me to remain in the Cabinet prevailed,” Villanueva said.

“Right now, I am more effective here in the Executive. And right now, a lot of people are benefitting from programs that we are implementing. I am committed to help President Aquino in any way I can,” Villanueva added. (It is not clear yet if Villanueva is staying with Tesda or he is transferring to another department.)

Sources said Aquino and Villanueva met Thursday last week. The two are close friends because of their stint in the House of Representatives.

Villanueva has been performing poorly in the surveys. He ranked 24-32 in the last Pulse Asia survey.

Meanwhile, the same LP sources said Quezon Rep Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III is also out of the slate. He will be given a position in government, sources added.

Tañada refuses to respond to queries about his 2013 plans until he has met with the President. “I’m trying to get a schedule,” said Tañada.

“I have not heard anything. Nobody has communicated with me,” added Tañada.

Aquino and Tañada talked before the State of the Nation Address in July. Back then, Tañada conceded he would consider his numbers in the surveys before he makes his final plans for 2013. – Rappler.com


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