|
Monday, December 29, 2003
Ping set to file presidential bid Monday
MANILA -- Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson is bent on pursuing his bid for the highest post of the country as he is reportedly preparing to file on Monday his candidacy for the presidency with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Makati Rep. Agapito Aquino said in a television interview that Lacson would file his certificate of candidacy at 9 a.m. Monday, accompanied by his vice presidential runningmate and senatorial candidates.
Aquino did not say who Lacson's runningmate is.
Lacson will run under the banner of the Lakas ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), which is part of the opposition Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP).
With Lacson formalizing his presidential bid, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) may be put in a quandary as the KNP is fielding movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. as its standard-bearer.
The KNP is not a registered political party and may not be allowed to field Poe as its presidential candidate.
Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. said that if Lacson and Poe insist on filing their separate presidential bids, the commission would have to rule on who gets to be standard-bearer of what party.
Abalos said the Comelec en banc would hear the petitions for recognition filed by Sen. Edgardo Angara, LDP president, and Congressman Aquino on Tuesday to resolve the feud in the LDP.
"We will hear their evidence and determine who will be the official LDP (candidate)," Abalos said.
Abalos said Lacson and Poe would have to be declared "independent" candidates if they file their certificates before the feud on who should be the opposition's standard-bearer was settled.
Poe will file his candidacy either Monday on or Jan. 5, the last day of the filing of COCs for national positions. Sen. Loren Legarda is reported to be Poe's most likely runningmate.
A television report said the KNP's senatorial candidates are San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, Rep. Digalen Dilangalen, Senators Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Tessie Aquino-Oreta, former senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Juan Ponce-Enrile, Ernesto Maceda and Francisco Tatad, and Jamby Madrigal.
Meanwhile, former education secretary Raul Roco will file his COC for president on Tuesday.
Roco will first attend the commemoration of the martyrdom of national hero Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park before he goes to the Comelec to file his candidacy together with his 12 senatorial candidates, it was learned. (Sunnex Luzon/Marie Neri)
(December 29, 2003 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Arroyo vows end to NPA campaign fees