PNoy invites Loren to LP slate

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III personally invited Sen Loren Legarda to run under the 2013 administration ticket but it is unclear if the senator accepted his invitation.

In an interview on Thursday, September 27, Legarda confirmed that he and the President met on the same day in Malacañang and talked politics and foreign affairs over coffee.

During the meeting, she said they discussed the possibility of her running under the administration coalition. 

“I said whether or not matuloy iyon (it pushes through), I vow to support his reform agenda and the policies of good governance because I believe that President Aquino is clean and honest, and works hard for the country,” Legarda said on the sidelines of the Liga ng mga Barangay National Convention at the Mall of Asia.

The invitation comes after Legarda accepted the offer of Vice President Jejomar Binay to be a guest candidate of his United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). UNA calls itself the “constructive opposition” to the administration.

Legarda is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), which is in partnership talks with Aquino’s ruling Liberal Party (LP). Legarda is also the “solo first placer” in the Pulse Asia September survey.

Legarda said it will be known before October 1, Monday, whether or not she will run under the administration ticket. October 1 is the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy.

“I guess everything will be clarified because it’s the first time the President and I had spoken since June 12, the Vin d’honneur,” Legarda said. 

“I appreciate his taking his time out to meet with me and I appreciate the invitation that the Liberal Party has given to me on account of my being NPC, on account of the partnership agreement but we must also take into consideration that I’m a guest candidate of UNA so everything is being sorted out,” Legarda added.

Prior to her meeting with the President, Legarda said she had not talked to any official of the LP about joining the administration slate.

‘Just stay tuned’

Legarda stressed that the meeting with Aquino also touched on foreign affairs like the dispute over the South China Sea, considering her designation as chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The senator, however, said she cannot elaborate because the matters and documents they discussed were controversial.

The LP is working to finalize its senatorial slate ahead of the filing of certificates of candidacy next week.

Still, Legarda prefers to wait and see. 

“To me, really, what’s important is we do our work and abangan na lang.” (Just stay tuned.) – Rappler.com