Five more personalities would complete the senatorial lineup of the Lacson-Sotto tandem, Senate President Tito Sotto III said on Thursday.
“There are about four or five names that we’re looking at, and all are experienced,” Sotto said in a virtual briefing, stopping short of identifying the possible candidates.
Meanwhile, Senator Manny Pacquiao “can do whatever he wants” since the Philippines is a free country, Malacanang said Thursday, after the lawmaker threatened to present evidence to substantiate his claim that corruption in government remains rampant.
Also, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go exhorted PDP-Laban members to unite and strengthen their efforts in support of the Duterte administration’s goal of providing a more comfortable life for all Filipinos amid the challenging times.
In an interview on Tuesday, Sotto told CNN Philippines he would be running for vice president and Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson will be his running mate.
Sotto said an official announcement would be made on August 4.
According to Sotto, incumbent Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Joel Villanueva, and Juan Miguel Zubiri are in their tandem’s initial senatorial slate.
The six others are former Senator JV Ejercito, former Senator and now Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former Senator and now Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gringo Honasan, former Elections Commissioner Gregorio “Goyo” Larrazabal, former Senator and now Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, and Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez.
Sotto said he has spoken with most of the people on their list except Gordon, who has yet to reply.
He added the lineup would be clearer come October, or the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy.
In the same briefing, Sotto admitted to taking caution in engaging in alliances.
“We’re very careful about alliances in the NPC because we’ve had bad experiences before. We previously had a coalition with LP, with PDP-Laban, and they would go against our candidates who are incumbent. We can’t let that happen… that’s why we’re very careful and tentative now,” he said.
Sotto also said he would consult with his party mates before accepting other groups to support their candidates.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement against Pacquiao after the Filipino boxing icon said he will release video and audio to probe corruption against several government agencies.
“Well, let Senator Pacquiao reveal what he wants to reveal. It’s a free country,” Roque said in an online press briefing.
Pacquiao said he will present the evidence when he gets back from the United States after his match with undefeated World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation welterweight Errol Spence Jr. on August 22.
“But right now, we are one with them, the Filipinos are one in wishing him good luck in his upcoming match,” Roque said.
For his part, Go said he hopes the situation within the party will improve now that a new group of officers has already been chosen.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi was chosen as new PDP-Laban president during the party’s national assembly in Clark, Pampanga, last July 17.
Cusi replaced Pacquiao, who earlier expelled him from the ruling party for pushing the presidential run of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Morales, who is not a member of PDP-Laban.
Pacquiao has signified his intention to run for president next year.
Before he flew to the US, Pacquiao claimed that corruption persists under President Rodrigo Duterte’s watch and named the departments of Social Welfare, Health, Energy and Environment as graft-ridden agencies.
But Roque downplayed Pacquiao’s claims, calling it “watusi” instead of an “atom bomb” since the supposed revelations were “general” and not supported by evidence.
Pacquiao’s corruption allegations angered Duterte, who launched tirades against the boxer-senator.
Duterte has also vowed to campaign against Pacquiao in case the latter fails to show evidence to prove his corruption claims.
Go said President Duterte, as chairman of the party, commended members of PDP-Laban for their continuing trust and confidence in helping the government lead the country towards recovery amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“We need to strengthen the party. Strengthen in the sense that we need to be unified,” said Go, adding that he is willing to step up as mediator between factions within the party if necessary.
“The party is strong. We are the majority party in the Senate, Congress and even down to the local level. We have more than 100,000 members. Sayang po ang partido if it will be divided,” he added.
Go also warned his fellow PDP-Laban members not to squander the gains made in the past years in building a strong political party that continues to instill positive change in the country as promised by the President.
Meanwhile, he clarified that while many Senate aspirants have signified their intent to be part of the administration slate for the 2022 senatorial elections, the list has not been finalized yet.
“As of now, no final list yet. The list issued by (Eastern Samar) Governor (Ben) Evardone is the initial list based on the discussion of party members,” he said.
Go assured that the President will choose his candidates well in line with the vision of continuing the positive change that the current administration has worked hard for the past years.
However, he reiterated that the focus now of the President and his administration is on strengthening COVID-19 response and economic recovery measures.