By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Oct. 6 (PNA) – Senator Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan II looms as the fourth lawmaker from Bicol who will throw his hat in the vice presidential race in the 2016 elections.
This after the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) selection committee decided to formally offer to Honasan a slot to be the running mate of UNA standard bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay.
”After consulting with leaders of the Party, the selection committee of the UNA hereby announces that it is formally offering to Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan the position of UNA Vice Presidential standard bearer for the 2016 elections,” UNA president Toby Tiangco said in a press statement.
”Sen. Honasan brings to the tandem his long years of service and experience as a soldier and a legislator. He has championed the rights of the urban poor and farmers, and promoted the welfare of the masses, government workers, and our men and women in uniform,” Tiangco added.
Asked for reaction, Honasan said he felt honored but asked for more time to consult his family for the most important decision of his life.
”I have not formally received the letter but I would like to ask for more time to consult my families. I cannot separate my family and my country whenever I made major decision like this,” Honasan said.
Honasan, a military colonel-turned lawmaker from Sorsogon, is the UNA vice president tasked to build up the opposition party.
He said he would make a decision before the start of the filing of certificate of candidacy on Oct. 12.
If ever Honasan decides to accept the UNA’s offer, he will become the fourth from Bicol to run for vice president.
Earlier, Senators Francis Escudero from Sorsogon and Antonio Trillanes IV from Albay and Camarines Sur congresswoman Leni Robredo declared intention to run for second highest position in the country.
So far, five have already declared intention to run for vice president after Senators Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Alan Peter Cayetano. (PNA)