Batangas 6th District Representative Vilma-Santos-Recto is mulling a possible senatorial bid in the 2022 elections, her husband, Senator Ralph Recto, said on Tuesday, July 27.
On his final term as senator, the Senate President Pro Tempore also bared that he might run for congressman in their province's district to replace her wife.
"That's a possibility, we've been discussing it here in the house if she wants to run for the Senate, so that's an open possibility. She might run for the Senate. I might take her place in the House as well," Recto disclosed in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
He said they will make their decision within "a month and a half to two months". Among the "many factors", he said they are considering the cost, as well as the manner of campaigning amid the persisting threat of COVID-19, among others.
"She's thinking about it. Nothing final," the senator said of his wife.
The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) will start on October 1.
The couple are both members of the Nacionalista Party (NP), which is led by former Senate President Manuel "Manny" Villar, and is among those earlier reported to be seeking an alliance with the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), led by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Duterte has expressed openness to run for president next year.
But Recto said he also welcomes the upcoming presidential bid of his colleague, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, whose running mate for vice president will be Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.
"They have a wealth of experience, they have been in the Senate for a long time," he said.
He also mentioned Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who was likewise among those being floated as a possible contender for presidency,.
"We will discuss that in the party, and see it leads us," Recto said when asked about who among the possible presidential candidate they will support for the 2022 polls.
Santos-Recto, a former Batangas governor and actress, was among those considered by the 1Sambayan opposition coalition for their slate.