Koko, Sara, Bong Go top PDP–Laban Senate slate

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III topped the senatorial slate picks of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go statistically tied for second place.

The Top 3 came out in a survey conducted among 184 party members composed of the party’s national officers, national government officials, members of Congress, local government officials and party leaders representing the private sector held at the gymnasium of the GSIS Financial Center along Roxas Boulevard on Aug. 31.

The respondents were asked to choose among 24 senatorial hopefuls, composed of PDP-Laban officials, friends of PDP-Laban and the incumbent senators who are set for re-election in May 2019.

Go expressed his gratitude for his inclusion in the senatorial line up of PDP-Laban.

“I am sincerely thankful to my fellow party members for their show of support for me. It warms my heart knowing that a lot of people are supporting me even though I have not even expressed interest in running,” Go said.

The party earlier met with President Duterte, who is the party’s chairman, to ask for help in finalizing the senatorial lineup for the 2019 midterm elections.

Also present at the meeting were party secretary general Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, party vice chairman Alfonso Cusi as well as regional heads of the party and other national government officials.

In an interview, Pimentel, who is PDP-Laban president, said the President will support the candidates as long as they are “honest, principled, service-oriented and competent.”

The President once lauded PDP-Laban for being a “principled party” and encouraged its members to maintain the party’s integrity.

The party has gained mass support because public interest and good governance are always at the top of its agenda.

The following day, PDP-Laban released its “very possible” list of 15 Senate bets based on the results of the poll.

1. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III (175)

2-3. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (155)

2-3. Special Assistant to the President Bong Go (153)

4. Political adviser of the President Sec. Francis Tolentino (125)

5. Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles (116)

6. Sen. Sonny Angara, III (112)

7. BuCor chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (110) 8. Sen. Cynthia Villar (103) 9. Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano (100)

10. Maguindanao Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu (95)

11. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque (87)

12. Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito (85) 13. Sen. Grace Poe (85) 14. Sen. Nancy Binay (58) 15. Former Cabinet secretary Raffy Alunan (52)