By Junex Doronio
MANILA — As the Makabayan bloc, known for its national democrat orientation, and the traditional opposition Liberal Party (LP) gear up for the 2025 senatorial race with several potential candidates stepping forward, the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) led by former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte has yet to finalize its slate.
This comes in the wake of the former president’s dismissal of Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement that he and his sons, Davao City Rep. Pulong Duterte and Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, are eyeing Senate seats.
On Thursday, July 4, 2024, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Makabayan bloc boldly declared in a press conference at the House of Representatives their intention to field a full slate of 12 candidates for the 2025 senatorial elections.
Castro, who declared her senatorial bid on June 26, stated, “We will field a slate… the number of candidates will increase, not just myself. We will include representatives from various sectors, including marginalized groups, farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, urban poor, women, and professionals.”
In a move towards a united front strategy, Castro also mentioned ongoing discussions with like-minded parties, including Liberal Party’s Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, for a potential alliance.
On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Lagman announced that the LP plans to field six candidates for its senatorial slate in the upcoming elections.
Earlier in February, LP spokesperson Leila de Lima had confirmed that former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino are seeking a return to the Senate under their ticket. Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno also aims for a senatorial bid.
On June 30, Duterte, speaking in Tacloban City, dismissed his daughter VP Sara’s statement about their senatorial candidacy, saying, “What will we do in the Senate… What will we do there?”
(el Amigo/mnm)
