Opposition completes senatorial line-up

By Ronron
February 11, 2007

The political opposition on Sunday completed its
senatorial line-up for the upcoming mid-term
elections, and announced its new name based on the
convergence of different political parties.

In a news conference yesterday afternoon at Club
Filipino in San Juan, Atty. Adel Tamano, spokesman of
the “Grand Opposition Coalition,” said that the
latter’s candidates for Senators are the following: 1)
Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition); 2)
Anna Dominique Coseteng (Independent); 3) Sonia Roco
(Aksyon Demokratiko); 4) Manuel Villar (Independent);
5) Francis Pangilinan (Independent); 6) Panfilo Lacson
(Independent-UNO); 7) John Osmeña (United Opposition); 8) Francis
Escudero (NPC); 9) Allan Peter Cayetano (Nacionalista
Party); 10) Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party
– Drilon faction); 11) Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III
(Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban); and, 12) Lt.
Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV (Independent).

“This is really the ticket to beat. If we have a fair
election, there is a great possibility that we can
sweep this. Our line-up is very strong,” Tamano told
Manila Shimbun in a phone interview later on Sunday
evening.

He said that compared to the administration’s
“lopsided” slate, the opposition line –up are mostly
composed of those who top the recent surveys.

“We just hope that the people will vote wisely because
we are in danger, knowing that the administration has
the machinery and the money, compared to us,” said
Tamano, who refused to answer yet when asked where
their funds will come from.

Tamano said the opposition has yet to formulate its
slogan, although he said the entire slate is in
agreement in defending the Senate, which, he said, the
administration wants demolished.

“Everyone wants to defend the Constitution, the
democracy. We are opposed at least on the Chacha move
of the administration,” he said.

The administration has so far identified 11 of its 12
senatorial candidates, composed of Michael Defensor,
Prospero Pichay, Miguel Zubiri, Ralph Recto, Luis
“Chavit” Singson, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Edgardo Angara,
Vicente Sotto III, Joker Arroyo, Zambales Gov.
Vincente Magsaysay, and Leyte Gov. Jericho “Icot”
Petilla.

The last day for the filing of candidacy for Senator
is today (Monday)./DMS