(UPDATED) House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has named Communications Undersecretary Margaux "Mocha" Uson and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque among the possible senatorial candidates of ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for the 2019 mid-term elections.
Alvarez made the announcement during the mass oathtaking ceremonies of Cebu village captains and officials on Friday, November 17, at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City.
Interviewed on the sidelines, Uson expressed surprise upon hearing the announcement. She didn't understand it because Alvarez said it in Cebuano.
Here is her official statement:
"Una po sa lahat (First of all), we attended the oath taking of the new PDP Laban members upon the invitation of Presidential Assistant for Visayas, Michael Dino. Walang kahit anong political intention on my part sa pag punta doon (I don't have any political intention).
Kaya nagulat po ako ng sinasabi nila na inanunsyo raw po ni Speaker Alvarez na ako ay tatakbo bilang Senador, HINDI KO PO ITO ALAM AT HINDI NAMIN ITO PINAG USAPAN. (That's why I was surprised when I was told that Speaker Alvarez announced that I am going to run for senator. I didn't know this and we didn't talk about this.)
Totoo po na matagal na akong iniimbitahan ni Speaker na tumakbo bilang senador at ang sagot ko po ay wala akong planong tumakbo sa senado dahil hindi naman ako politiko (It's true that Speaker has been inviting me to run for senator, but I have told him that I don't have any plan to do so because I am not a politician).
I am thankful and flattered for being considered as a possible candidate, pero sa ngayon ay wala pa akong (as of now, I don't have any) plans on running. At kung tatakbo man po ako, eto po ay dahil si Pangulong Duterte na mismo ang nagpatakbo sa akin. Yan ay dahil sa ang akin lamang hangarin ay matulungan ang Duterte Administration na pagsilbihan ang bayan (I will only run for senator if President Rodrigo Duterte himself will ask me because my only intention is to help the Duterte administration serve the country)."
Roque, for his part, said he was elated by the Alvarez's endorsement.
He, however, said that as of now, his focus is to be the "best spokesperson" of President Duterte since he assumed his new post only on November 6.
"I am very thankful for the confidence shown by Speaker Bebot Alvarez. I cherish the encouragement and (am) humbled by the endorsement," Roque said.
"I am, however, focused on my new job as the President's spokesperson and my priority right now is to do my absolute test in communicating the message of the President to our people. I have also, without means, to pursue a Senate bid. So while I am thankful, I reiterate that my priority is to be the best spokesman that i can be for the president," he added.
Aside from Uson and Roque, Alvarez identified former Metro Manila Development Authority chief Francis Tolentino, Davao Representative Karlo Nograles, Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman, and Negros Occidental Representative Alfredo Benitez as among the PDP-Laban senatorial candidates. (SunStar Philippines)