Aquino unveils “powerhouse” senatorial slate

By: Iza Maria Gonzalez

It is not the usual clash of parties that opened the 2013 senatorial elections, but a “powerhouse” coalition of six different parties and three independents, unified by a common goal – to convey President Benigno Aquino III’s social agenda to the Senate. 

President Aquino officially announced on Monday the LP-AKBAYAN-NPC-NP-LDP-NDC coalition senatorial candidates – the administration’s senatorial slate, in a proclamation rally in Club Filipino, San Juan.

 LP stands for Liberal Party, NPC for National People’s Coalition, NP for Nacionalista Party, LDP for Laban Demokratikong Pilipino, and NUP for National Unity Party.

 The liberal Party said in a statement that track records and a “commitment to push for the legislative component of PNoy’s social contract with the Filipino people” are among the chief considerations in inviting candidates to the senatorial slate.

“More than popularity, the LP-Akbayan-NPC-NP-LDP-NUP coalition senatorial slate is born of a shared set of principles. The slate represents those who have helped in the advancement of the President’s agenda and those who are committed to support his programs of government,” the party added.

Comprising the powerhouse line-up are former Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr., and Jamby Madrigal; Senators Loren Legarda, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and “Antonio Trillanes IV.

Also included were Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV – the youngest, and also the first candidate introduced by the President; former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros; former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar, wife of Senator Manuel Villar; Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara; and MTRCB Chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the 2004 presidential candidate, the late Fernando Poe Jr. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said in a press release that the coalition is not for “political convenience,” rather a union based on a common concept of reform, and on good governance.

“We're comfortable with this coalition because in the last two years, we've seen the action in response to the call of the President for good governance, transparency and accountability. The difference of opinion or other minor things matters little because we've agreed on the majority of the policies,” he added.

 The President also said during the proclamation that the administration’s senatorial slate will echo his reform vision, and he further emphasized the importance of having allies that would push his legislative agenda to the Senate.

 “This I assure you: The 12 candidates being offered by this coalition will help harvest the fruits of reforms we have laid down the last two years, three months and one day. They promise us that they will not steal. They will expedite the pace of change that we’re enjoying, and they will not betray your trust. You—the people—are the Boss,” Mr. Aquino added.

# Sources: http://www.liberalparty.org.ph/LP2012/NEWS/Entries/2012/10/1_UNION_OF_PRINCIPLES_MARKS_LP-AKBAYAN-NPC-NP-LDP-NUP_COALITION.html http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/281014/aquino-leads-launch-of-administration-coalition http://senate.gov.ph/press_release/2012/1001_cayetanoa2.asp