PDP-Laban eyes 24 names for Senate slate
He still refused to mention the names, but called for support for Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., Presidential Adviser Francis Tolentino, and Representatives Monsour del Rosario of Makati City, Dakila Carlo Cua of Quirino, Sajid Mangudadatu of Maguindanao, and Karlo Nograles of Davao City.
“It is very important for us to choose the candidates whom we can count on to support the programs of President Duterte and enable him to realize the changes he wants to bring to our country,” Alvarez said before administering the oath of office to some 3,000 newly-elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Tuesday, June 12.
The House leader said that President Rodrigo Duterte still has the last say on who would be included in the PDP-Laban's senatorial slate.
Aside from those mentioned by Alvarez, other possible PDP-Laban bets as disclosed by former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III in an earlier interview are news anchor Jiggy Manicad, singer Freddie Aguilar, Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfred Benitez, PBA party-list Rep. Carlos Nograles, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rey Umali, former senator Pia Cayetano, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson and former Interior secretary Raffy Alunan.
During the event, Alvarez also appealed to the barangay and SK officials of the province to unite to reform politics in Davao del Norte.
“Let us unite to reform the politics in Davao del Norte to bring progress to our province, not just in District 1 but also in District 2,” Alvarez said, noting that the politics in the province had been controlled by one or two influential and rich families for a long time.
Alvarez said that to bring real change in the province the barangay and SK officials should help educate the people to choose the right and qualified leaders in the 2019 local elections.