MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino announced yesterday four senatorial candidates of the pro-administration Liberal Party (LP) in next year’s elections.
They are: Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon, former lawmaker Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general Joel Villanueva and Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara.
Speaking at the general assembly of the Joint Alumni Clubs of Wharton and the University of Pennsylvania at The Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City, Aquino, LP chairman, said they are still in the process of screening applicants.
“There are, as you know, a lot more applicants than slots,” he said.
“There are at least 24, probably 32, that are applying for the 12 slots. I think we have talks ongoing with various coalition partners and it’ll be too premature to tell you all of the other candidates.
“And it will be unfair for those who are applying but might not be accepted to announce their names at this time.”
The younger Angara – now on his third and last term – is one of the three spokesmen in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, along with Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada and Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, both LP officials.
Aquino endorsed Villanueva and Angara during the birthday celebration of Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr. in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro in April 30.
Biazon is “60 percent certain” that he would be running for the Senate under the LP banner.
“The party has a process of selecting candidates and I would have to subject myself to that,” he said.
Biazon said he would have to assess his capability to win, and that they still have to discuss the matter within the party.
“While the President is the leader of the party, so it would seem that he could also speak for the party, but I have always adhered to party process, but the statement of the President would have a big weight and I am sure that the party would give it the highest consideration,” he said.
Biazon said Aquino’s pronouncement that he would be an LP candidate for senator might stir some gossip that he is already a “lame duck” commissioner since he would only be in office for four months before he files his certificate of candidacy in October.
“That is my concern with that announcement, some people might think ‘why do they have to follow me’ and try to undermine my authority or they put color (on my stay at the BOC) and say I am just using it for my candidacy,” he said.
“So that is one of the difficulties that I have to face with that statement coming from the President.”
Biazon said he has to show to the public that he has kept himself “clean” and he was not involved in any smuggling or corrupt activities when he headed the Bureau of Customs.
“Definitely, I have to show (that I am not involved in any corrupt act),” he said.
“With regard to authority, while I am here I would just have to exercise it. They (smugglers) should not even try while I am here at the bureau.” – With Evelyn Macairan