Biazon: LP stalwarts have edge in administration's Senate lineup

MANILA, Philippines - True-blooded members of the administration Liberal Party (LP) should have the edge among other senatorial wannabes who want to join the administration lineup in next year’s elections, a ranking party member said yesterday.

Customs Commissioner Rozanno Rufino Biazon is hoping to be in the magic list along with partymate Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada since they are the only two real LP stalwarts who are being considered in the senatorial slate.

“So far, true-blooded LP being considered is just two at this time unless others will swear in as party members. The administration lineup will seem to be composed of multi-party (candidates),” Biazon remarked when asked how the talks are going with the coalition between LP, Nacionalista Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

“That’s the expectation since the President is an LP,” he added.

Biazon said the administration slate is not yet finalized, but “the calendar of activities of Comelec (Commission on Elections) gives us... until September to finalize our list of candidates.”

Asked if he will be among the senatorial bets, Biazon said he “thinks I am included in the initial list.”

But he was quick to say that right now, “I am focusing my job here but I can tell you that I am happier as a legislator.”

Biazon said other bets being considered as part of the administration coalition are not actually LP members. They are Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chairman Joel Villanueva, former party-list representative Risa Hontiveros, Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara (LDP), and former senator Jamby Madrigal.

A former LP member, former Manila mayor Lito Atienza is seeking a congressional seat through the party-list system, giving up his bid to reclaim the mayoralty from incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim, a ranking LP member.

“Lito Atienza is our second nominee,” former Bulacan Rep. Willie Villarama, secretary-general of the party-list group Buhay, told reporters yesterday. Buhay (for Buhay Hayaan Yumabong) is identified with the religious group El Shaddai of Bro. Mike Velarde. Villarama said Atienza is one of Buhay’s founders.

He said Velarde’s son, Mariano Michael Velarde Jr., remains the No. 1 nominee, while Irwin Tieng, who belongs to the family who own Solar Television Network, is the third nominee. Velarde Jr. and Tieng currently represent Buhay in the House of Representatives.

“We will aim for three seats in next year’s elections,” he said.– With Jess Diaz