Former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, president of the Philippine Constitution Association, has backed the senatorial bid of detained former senator Ramon Revilla Jr.
“I am pleased and honored to officially announce the candidacy for the Senate of Senator Bong Revilla Jr., our party chairman,” Romualdez said in a statement.
Romualdez said Revilla’s decision to join the senatorial race in the May 2019 elections was reached after a series of consultations with his family, close friends, constituents and political leaders.
The former Leyte congressman said Revilla “is one of the most qualified senatorial aspirants.”
“His passion and dedication to serve the people will bring positive change and help improve the country’s good governance, policies, and lawmaking process,” Romualdez said.
He added Revilla’s “experience as a two-term senator has helped him gain an understanding about the complexities of various problems besetting the nation.
“Senator Bong’s integrity and honesty will make him a strong candidate for the Senate. With the people and God’s help, the Lakas-CMD is looking forward to his victory in next year’s midterm poll,” he said.
Meanwhile, Romualdez said the Lakas-Christian Democrats will also support the senatorial candidates to be endorsed by Hugpong ng Pagbabago regional party of presidential daughter and incumbent Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“We look forward very well to local and national races. Lakas-CMD has produced two excellent presidents. President Fidel V. Ramos and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and maybe someday, Lakas will produce another president,” ended Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president and former House Independent Bloc Leader of the 16th Congress representing the first district of Leyte.
Meanwhile, lawyer Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon, has also indicated his desire to run for senator and expressed confidence that he would win a Senate seat after next year’s midterm polls.
Gadon had filed an impeachment rap against then Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, which set the stage for the removal of the former chief justice through a quo warranto petition.
“I am very confident of winning because the people do not want idiots,” he said.
“If you take a look at the social media, you will see that one can no longer fool the people,” he added.
Despite his low ranking in the Pulse Asia’s September survey, Gadon reiterated he would win because of his popularity.
He lauded comedian Michael V. who spoofed him in his weekly television program, “Bubble Gang.”
“Where I go, people would mob me. These are the millennials, professionals, senior citizens,” he said.
Gadon is running under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan.
He said he would not ask for any endorsement from the Duterte administration.
“I am not begging for endorsement. I want to win on my own name. I will win on my own name,” he said.