By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III confirmed that they are considering the inclusion of singer Freddie Aguilar in the administration ticket for the 2019 senatorial race.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III (Senate of the Philippines / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
This is after Aguilar reportedly announced in a radio interview Thursday morning his interest to run for a seat in the Upper Chamber in the May 2019 midterm polls.
"Yes, because he is a party member," Pimentel, president of the ruling Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), told the reporters when asked if Aguilar is being considered in their senatorial slate.
Pimentel added that Aguilar, anyway, is also qualified to be a senator of the Philippines.
"Go over the qualifications for senator. He has all of them," he said. "And for sure he has ideas on how legislation can solve some of our problems."
The Senate chief, however, said the PDP-Laban has "not yet" finalized its list, especially that it is deliberating on more than 20 candidates, including re-electionist majority senators whom he assured of slots in the administration ticket.
"By August-Sept pa 'yan ma finalize (it will be finalized) given the overflow," he said.
Aguilar is a known supporter of President Duterte, having composed the former Davao city mayor's campaign song during the 2016 national elections.
Last month, the Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the singer-composer known for the song "Anak" for his "lifetime outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and culture.”
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III (Senate of the Philippines / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
This is after Aguilar reportedly announced in a radio interview Thursday morning his interest to run for a seat in the Upper Chamber in the May 2019 midterm polls.
"Yes, because he is a party member," Pimentel, president of the ruling Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), told the reporters when asked if Aguilar is being considered in their senatorial slate.
Pimentel added that Aguilar, anyway, is also qualified to be a senator of the Philippines.
"Go over the qualifications for senator. He has all of them," he said. "And for sure he has ideas on how legislation can solve some of our problems."
The Senate chief, however, said the PDP-Laban has "not yet" finalized its list, especially that it is deliberating on more than 20 candidates, including re-electionist majority senators whom he assured of slots in the administration ticket.
"By August-Sept pa 'yan ma finalize (it will be finalized) given the overflow," he said.
Aguilar is a known supporter of President Duterte, having composed the former Davao city mayor's campaign song during the 2016 national elections.
Last month, the Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the singer-composer known for the song "Anak" for his "lifetime outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and culture.”