No rift in slate, admin coalition says

MANILA, Philippines - The administration coalition yesterday maintained no threats were issued against allies who may be adopted by other parties.

Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid spokesman Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo said allies were just asked to make sure that their actions would benefit the tandem of Liberal Party presidential bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and his running mate, Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

“We’ve never been in the business of making threats, especially against someone like Sen. (Panfilo) Lacson. He is a guest candidate. We are absolutely happy that he is with us,” Quimbo said in an interview.

“All we said is we want you to exercise your deepest political discretion in whatever you do so that it will not be harmful but only helpful to the Mar-Leni slate,” he added.

Lacson earlier scored
Quimbo for supposedly cautioning LP senatorial candidates against joining the lineup of other political tickets.

Lacson is a guest candidate of the administration coalition’s senatorial slate. He, however, may also be included in the senatorial tickets of the tandem of Sens. Grace Poe and Francis Escudero and the United Nationalist Alliance led by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Lacson chided Quimbo for supposedly reminding administration candidates that they should have undivided support for Roxas.

“I value my word as I value my integrity and honor. I need not be told and worse, in a veiled threat manner that some people want to project,” Lacson said in a previous statement.

Lacson admitted holding talks with Roxas, Poe and Binay with regard to their invitation but has yet to publicly express support for any of them.