- PDP-Laban’s line-up includes Freddie Aguilar and Jiggy Manicad.
- President Rodrigo Duterte would also have the final say on the party’s line-up for the 2019 senatorial polls.
- Freddie and Jiggy have yet to react to the said recommendation.
Musician Freddie Aguilar and GMA Network Jiggy Manicad were two of the ruling party’s list of possible bets. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III disclosed on April 19, Thursday. He enumerated the initial list of PDP-Laban’s bets in a phone patch interview with Senate reporters. PDP-Laban will choose the final candidates in September. President Rodrigo Duterte would also have the final say on the party’s line-up for the 2019 senatorial polls.
Aquilino stated that Freddie’s membership in the ruling party remains the reason behind his possible inclusion on the senatorial list. The musician will need to meet the qualifications to become a senator. The 1987 Constitution also set to the following qualifications for senators: natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least 35-years of age, ability to read and write, registered voter and resident of the Philippines.
In the elaboration, Aquilino revealed that Freddie has the qualification on being a Senator.
“He has all of them. And for sure, he has ideas on how legislation can solve some of our problems.”
Freddie also sang one of President Rodrigo’s campaign jingles. He should have become the chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts but commissioners instead picked Virgilio Almario.
Senate President Koko Pimentel, Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Sonny Angara, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Sen. JV Ejercito, Sen. Nancy Binay, Rep. Ace Barbers, Rep. Albee Benitez, Rep. Karlo Nograles, Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, Rep. Geraldine Roman, Rep. Rey Umali, Rep. Pia Cayetano, Special assistant to the president Bong Go, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, President’s political adviser Francis Tolentino, Presidential Communications assistant secretary Mocha Uson and Former Interior and Local Government chief Raffy Alunan among others.
Freddie and Jiggy has yet to react on the said recommendation.