President Rodrigo R. Duterte has included former Interior Secretary Raffy Alunan III in his senatorial lineup for the upcoming May midterm elections.
Alunan himself confirmed this during the campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan City, Laguna.
“Malaking karangalan (It is a huge honor) to be part of the President’s team for May 2019,” Alunan, one of PDP-Laban’s guest candidates said during the event.
“It is a huge honor to be part of the President’s team for May 2019.”
Duterte, in his speech, said Alunan is “the brightest” member of the Cabinet of former President Fidel Ramos.
“Wala ka nang makita pinaka-bright sa panahon ni Ramos (You can’t see someone brighter during the time of Ramos). He was the brightest Cabinet member,” the Chief Executive said.
”And he knows best what he’s doing because he was once upon a time the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) Secretary. Secretary Alunan,” the President added.
”He knows best what he’s doing because he was once upon a time the DILG Secretary.”
Alunan also served as Tourism Secretary in the Cabinet of the late President Corazon Aquino.
Duterte further described Alunan as “a thinking guy.”
This is Alunan’s second attempt for a Senate seat after losing in the 2016 Senate race.
He is now running under the banner of the Bagumbayan Party of Senator Dick Gordon.
Aside from Alunan, other guest Senate bets being endorsed by the President are singer Freddie Aguilar, Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and reelectionist Senators Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito and Cynthia Villar.
The President is also endorsing five Senate bets from PDP-Laban: former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go, former Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino, PDP-Laban President and reelectionist Senator Koko PImentel III, Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, and former Philippine National Police chief Bato dela Rosa.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President does not think that he possesses any “magical” power to make candidates of his choice win the elections after analysts said the May elections would test the President’s power to endorse his candidates.
Panelo also disagreed with remarks that the failure of administration allies to win seats would mean voter rejection of the Duterte administration.
