8 lawmakers, TESDA chief eyed for Poe senatorial slate

MANILA, Philippines - At least eight lawmakers and one sitting Cabinet official are among those being considered for the senatorial slate of Sens. Grace Poe and Francis Escudero, who are expected to run for president and vice president, respectively, in the 2016 elections.

Well-placed sources from the two senators’ camps said among those being eyed for the Poe-Escudero senatorial slate are Sens. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ralph Recto, Vicente Sotto III, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Villar, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, Taguig City Rep. Lino Cayetano, world boxing idol and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, former senator Panfilo Lacson, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Joel Villanueva, former energy secretary Jericho Petilla and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

The sources said the senators or their common friends have sent feelers or asked many of those mentioned whether or not they were interested in running for senator with them in the event they run for higher office.

“The senators believe they can help foster unity among Filipinos and help minimize destructive politics,” the source said.

Poe and Escudero have yet to formally announce their plans for next year’s elections, but the two have been urged to run by major political parties as well as some private groups.

The Liberal Party, which has Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II as its presidential bet, continues to court Poe to be his running mate.

Romualdez said there are no definite talks yet on the matter, adding that his party, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, will be holding a crucial meeting next week to discuss its course of action in the 2016 elections.

Gatchalian, who belongs to the Nationalist People’s Coalition that has all but formally announced its support for Poe and Escudero, said the matter has yet to be fully discussed in the NPC.

Villanueva told The STAR that he was “humbled and honored” that he was being considered, but said he will wait for a proper meeting with Poe and Escudero as many things can still happen before the filing of certificates of candidacy in October.