The group of Senator Emmanuel 'Manny' Pacquiao in the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has started coming up with its own senatorial slate for the 2022 elections, with a member saying they are listing "strong" and "winnable" contenders for the race.
Ron Munsayac, executive director of PDP-Laban, disclosed on Monday, August 30, that ther group currently considers "less than 12" senatorial candidates for their slate.
"May mga informal and initial meetings na po pagdating po sa senatorial slate namin (There have been informal and initial meetings about our senatorial slate)," Munsayac told reporters in an online conference.
"Meron na po at malalakas po 'yong pangalan dito at winnable po talaga (We have the list and the names are strong and are very winnable)," he added.
Munsayac declined to divulge the names in their initial list, although he said this could include incumbent and returning senators, as well as "new names that are very, very winnable and very, very popular."
He added that they still have "long list of names" to consider for their slate.
"Kasi po kailangan po talaga 'yong senatorial slate namin ay akma, matched po sa prinsipyo ng partido at akma sa magiging plataporma ng magiging presidential candidate namin (Because our senatorial slate should be appropriate, matched with our party's principle, as well as the platforms of our presidential candidate)," he said.
The PDP-Laban, Munsayac said, supports the presidential bid of Pacquiao, although the boxer-turned-politician has yet to decide on his political plans.
Pressed to give a hint about their senatorial slate, Munsayac said: "Tignan niyo na lang po 'yong survey, makikita niyo na lang po kung sino 'yon (Just look at the surveys, you will know who they are)."
The faction of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier announced its initial list of senatorial bets.