Roco eyes Hagedorn in coalition's Senate slate

Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City will most probably join the ticket of the coalition of reformist parties for the 2001 senatorial elections, Sen. Raul Roco said yesterday.

Roco, president of Aksyon Demokratiko, said he had already undertaken numerous discussions with Hagedorn on the latter's joining the coalition ticket.

"There are very strong indications that Mayor Hagedorn would join us," he revealed.

Hagedorn has gained nationwide fame with the filming of his life story and with Fernando Poe Jr. playing the title role.

Hagedorn has also received numerous awards both on his behalf and of the city government during his tenure in Puerto Princesa. Roco is confident that Hagedorn has strong winning chances in the next senatorial elections.

Roco added that Paul Dominguez, former presidential assistant for Mindanao, has also responded favorably to Aksyon Demokratiko's invitation to be included in the senatorial ticket.

If Hagedorn and Dominguez finally decide to run for the Senate, they would be joining Makati Rep. Joker Arroyo, former Pangasinan Gov. Oscar Orbos, and prominent lawyer and civic leader Inday Santiago in the coalition ticket of Aksyon Demokratiko, Reporma, and Promdi.

Roco said he had also invited former Bukidnon Rep. Jose Zubiri Jr. and former NEDA Secretary Solita Monsod but the two have been noncommittal so far.

"Promdi may submit its own nominees. As for Reporma head Renato de Villa, I don't know yet if he is interested in running for the Senate," Roco said.

There are 12 Senate seats at stake in the May 2001 elections. Roco said that they might not field a complete ticket. He stressed that the reformist parties are more interested in fielding competent and winnable candidates than in filling up all the available slots.

Earlier, former Speaker Jose de Venecia had identified Orbos, Arroyo and De Villa as among the probable senatorial candidates of Lakas in the upcoming elections.

Roco had said that the reformist parties might have common candidates with Lakas, but he stressed that this would already be up to the candidates.