Tuesday, February 13, 2007 Sultan completes Palace slate; Kiko, Villar UNO guests
CANDIDATES running for 12 seats in the Senate at stake in the May 14 elections filed their certificates of candidacy one after the other at the Commission on Elections yesterday, the last day for the filing.
This, as President Arroyo began campaigning for her administration’s candidates even though the campaign period starts only today.
As of 5 p.m., 65 candidates filed their certificates.
Administration candidate and reelectionist Senator Joker Arroyo was the first of the 12 senatorial candidates of the administration ticket to file his candidacy.
Arroyo said running under the administration does not mean he will no longer be questioning what he perceives as wrongdoings of the Arroyo government.
Reelectionist Senator Francis Pangilinan, accompanied by his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta, and his sisters and brothers, arrived past 11 a.m. Pangilinan thanked the United Opposition (UNO) for adopting him as a guest candidate although he is running as an independent.
Liberal Party (LP) members Senators Franklin Drilon, Rodolfo Biazon and Manuel “Mar” Roxas III joined Pangilinan.
Cuneta said that since both UNO and the administration approached her husband to run in their tickets and they have friends in both camps, her husband decided to run as independent.
Reelectionist Senator Ralph Recto – who was accompanied by his wife, Lipa Mayor and actress Vilma Santos together with son Ryan Christian and stepson Luis Man-zano – bumped into Pangilinan and Cuneta. The two men greeted each other while Cuneta and Santos hugged and kissed each other on the cheeks.
Administration candidates—former presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit Singson, Edgardo Angara, Leyte Gov. Jericho Petila, Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay and Jamalul Kiram, so-called Sultan of Sulu, also filed their candidacies.
The administration candidates heard mass at the Manila Cathedral before proceeding to the Comelec.
From the opposition, reelectionist Senator Panfilo Lacson, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Senate President Manuel Villar also filed their bids.
Lacson, in an interview, admitted that he was saddened by the decision of the Wednesday group to part ways.
Actor Richard Gomez, who was earlier eyed as an administration candidate, filed his candidacy as an independent. Gomez was accompanied by his wife Lucy Torres and fellow actors.
Meanwhile, President Arroyo said the adminis-tration’s 12 senatorial bets will help bring success and move the Philippines forward.
Arroyo, during the 1st National Convention of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) at the Manila Hotel, called on the administration allies to vote for Team (Together Everyone Achieves More) Unity.
She introduced the 12 bets by their names, platforms, campaign slogans or nicknames while some she introduced by singing their campaign jingles like Bukidnon Rep. Miguel Zubiri.
She said she will leave politics to the politicians and those running for office as she focuses more on governance and the economy.
Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said their slate is composed of not only winnable bets but those who are advocating unity as well. (Sunnex)
