Ruling party sees win for its 6 senatoriables

by ARIS R. ILAGAN (Manila Bulletin)
http://mb.com.ph/articles/242982/ruling-party-sees-win-its-6-senatoriables

Lakas-Kampi-CMD officials Thursday expressed optimism that their entire six senatorial candidates for this year’s May 10 elections will make it to the Senate with the unwavering support of an overwhelming number of incumbent local government executives identified with the administration party and the vast political machinery resources their group can mobilize.

Secretary Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr., presidential adviser on political affairs and concurrent campaign manager for the administration Senate ticket, also said the lean, mean senatorial ticket of Lakas also possess the best of the candidates based on the luminous track record on public service.

“The administration party is the only political entity with complete political infrastructure down to the grassroots level. Lakas-Kampi-CMD will pour all its resources so that the administration wins a comfortable majority in both houses of Congress, and to do that, we will concentrate a lot of political resources on getting our six candidates to the Senate,” said Pichay.

Pichay pointed out that with Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid, both former actors, are topping the surveys on “senatoriables” that they will only need to push a little more for their four other bets – former justice secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, Lakas Kampi CMD deputy secretary Raul Lambino, broadcaster Rey Langit and Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico, who is also president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

“Our candidates have the experience, integrity, leadership and vision to do a lot more for our country. Our voters are discerning enough to choose them over other candidates who simply rely on promises in the absence of experience and solid accomplishments,” said Pichay.

Bello, a two-time justice secretary and former peace negotiator, said he is running under a platform of peace and justice.

Guico said in his nine years as president of all the mayors in the country, he was able to visit various localities in the country, and this allowed him to identify major concerns that truly affect all Filipinos.

Lambino said he was once a struggling probinsyano when he was young. He worked as a tailor, gasoline boy, and driver, just to be able to get himself through school. “I was born a probinsyano and graduated school a probinsyano, but that did not stop me from aiming higher and reaching for my dreams.”

Langit said for a tri-media journalist for over 40 years like him, his decision to run for public office was both easy and difficult. “It was difficult because I know that I will have to cross the line that separates those in power from those who serve as their watchdogs.”