MANILA -- Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Wednesday said that the ruling PDP-Laban is ready to accept Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go in its Senate slate should the latter decide to run in the 2019 midterm elections.
“Ready ang party. Bong Go is our national auditor and nasa kaniya na po iyon if he is really interested (The party is ready. Bong Go is our national auditor and it's up to him if he is really interested),” the PDP-Laban president said in an ambush interview.
“The party is ready because we have not yet finalized the slots,” he added.
He admitted that there may be a slight problem as there are already more than 20 names being considered to be included in the 12-man senatorial slate, including some non-party individuals, adding though that party members always have the advantage.
The Senate leader refused to name the prospective candidates but said that talks are ongoing.
“Syempre lalapitan namin, ire-recruit namin. But kung party member ka, meron kang inside track (Of course, we approach them, we recruit them. But if you are a party member, you have an inside track),” Pimentel said.
Meanwhile, he clarified that the event earlier held for Go was not a party event.
A movement dubbed as "Ready, Set, Go" was launched Wednesday to persuade Go to run for senator in the 2019 midterm elections.
The event, which was organized by friends of Go and Cabinet members, was held at the Ilustrado Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila.
“Hindi party event iyon. Baka supporters niya ‘yon. (It's not a party event. Maybe it's organized by his supporters). But we wish him all the best,” Pimentel said.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte himself said he would support Go should he decide to run for senator.
The President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, also threw her full support for Go if he decides to join the 2019 senatorial race.
She said she would be “more than willing” to support Go, especially because he contributed a lot of things to the President. (PNA)
