Santiago names senate slate

THE tandem of Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. revealed on Saturday their senatorial lineup for the May 2016 elections.

Included in the slate are Senator Ralph Recto, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, migrant worker advocate Susan Ople, former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, Joel Villanueva, former military chief Dionisio Santiago, former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla and actor and television host Edu Manzano.

The candidates are set to be introduced during the Youth for Miriam launch on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Santiago and Marcos are expected to attend and address the group at 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Marcos paid a courtesy call to Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Socrates Villegas at the Archbishops’ Office in Dagupan City at the continuation of his “Unity Caravan” in Pangasinan today.

After the closed-door meeting with Villegas, Marcos said they did not talk about politics. “We talked about everything under the sun but not politics,” Marcos said.

Marcos also closed the issue on undergoing a DNA test to determine if he is related to Senator Grace Poe who is running for president, saying he was only joking when he told journalists that he was willing to take the test.

“Yes, but there is no point of taking the DNA test. I’m just kidding. It will not be of any help to Poe,” Marcos said.

Earlier the lady senator’s DNA test with possible relatives in Guimaras proved negative. It was the second such negative test that was done not only to determine her parentage but also to settle the question on whether or not she is a natural born Filipino citizen.

On the fourth day of the campaign, Marcos went on the last leg of his 2-day sortie in the vote-rich province of Pangasinan, which he said is a crucial component of his bid to cement his hold on the “Solid North” as the launching pad in presenting his vision of national unity.

Marcos also squelched speculations that his family is supporting Poe who campaigned recently in his hometown province of Ilocos Norte and was accompanied by his sister, Governor Imee Marcos.

He said that as a presidential candidate Senator Poe and her rivals are expected to go around all the country’s provinces for their campaign, including in Ilocos Norte.

On the contrary, the senator reiterated his full support to Santiago.

“I am running together with Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago as my president. I am running with her for vice president. Tomorrow we will introduce our senatorial lineup,” Marcos said.