By Sammy F. Martin
MANILA, Oct. 1 (PNA) — Only four names are needed to complete the senatorial line-up of Liberal Party (LP), Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. confirmed on Thursday.
In a press conference, Belmonte said there are three incumbent senators, one comebacking and four cabinet members who have a sure seat in the LP senatorial line-up and the remaining four is being debated.
“At least 15 names floated and only four are being deliberated by members of the National Executive Committee (NECO) and the National Directorate of the party,” Belmonte, a member of the NECO as vice chairman of LP, told House reporters.
When asked who are the remaining seven, Belmonte refused to divulge any names and asked to wait for the formal announcement on October 5 (Monday).
“Anyway, we have set the date on the moment of truth and that is on Monday. Let us give them the surprise of their lives,” he pointed out.
Among those who have the sure seat in LP senatorial line-up are Senators Franklin Drilon, Teofisto Guingona III, Ralph Recto and Francis Pangilinan; Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary General Joel Villanueva.
Meanwhile, the House leadership said he is optimistic that LP can finally convince Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo to “decide in favor of the party.”
“We understand her (Robredo) situation that she needs to convince her children. At the end of the day, we cross our fingers that the widow of former DILG Secretary Jesse will throw her hat into the the ring,” Belmonte stressed. (PNA)