Lakas bares partial senatorial slate

The ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats will be fielding a senatorial slate made up mostly of former Cabinet members who are heavy with "experience and achievements" to support President Arroyo’s programs, Lakas-CMD spokesman Heherson Alvarez said yesterday.

Alvarez said Lakas-CMD has a tentative list of nine possible senatorial candidates for the May 2004 elections. The remaining three slots will be left open for candidates from other parties that the ruling party may forge an alliance with.

On the list are six Cabinet members and a former senator: Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, Interior Secretary Jose Lina Jr., Trade Secretary Manuel Roxas II, National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (Naktaf) chief Angelo Reyes, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando, Senators Robert Barbers and Robert Jaworski and Alvarez, the presidential adviser for overseas Filipino workers.

A Lakas-CMD source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said certain party officials are pushing for the inclusion of Gina de Venecia, wife of Speaker Jose de Venecia, to represent the women’s sector.

Alvarez said Barbers and Fernando are also being considered as possible vice presidential candidates of Mrs. Arroyo. More possible senatorial candidates are being screened by the Lakas-CMD national executive council, which is expected to complete the 12-candidate slate by next month. — Sammy Santos