Bongbong to run for senator

MANILA, Philippines - Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said yesterday he is planning to run for senator in the May 2010 elections.

“I’m contemplating on running for the Senate,” he told reporters seeking comment on his mother’s statement that she wants him to run for president.

He said he has been in talks with the Nacionalista Party of Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. for possible inclusion in its senatorial ticket.

He said it was just natural for his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, to wish the best for her children.

Besides Villar, the camp of former President Joseph Estrada wants to draft Rep. Marcos in its senatorial slate if the ousted leader seeks the presidency again.

Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz of the party-list group Abakada-Guro, a close friend of Rep. Marcos, said the Ilocos lawmaker has told him he is planning to run for senator.

The only son of the late President Marcos is just on his first term as representative of his province’s second district. He replaced his sister Imee, who served for nine years before taking a break from politics. – Jess Diaz