The opposition Liberal Party (LP), eyeing to field a complete senatorial slate led by former Sen. Manuel A. Roxas II in the upcoming midterm elections, concedes facing a tough challenge from administration-backed rivals given President Duterte’s high popularity rating.
“In a midterm election, you have to face the fact that you have a President with a 70-percent approval rating and it’s not easy to put up an opposition ticket,” Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon admitted, even as he promptly added: “But the opposition is there.”
Drilon confirmed in an interview that LP leaders have yet to get a firm commitment from Roxas to lead the opposition’s senatorial slate.
“We are suggesting to him [Roxas] to consider it, but candidacy is a personal decision,” Drilon said. “But yes, we are suggesting to him to take a good look at it.”
Drilon, likewise, admitted, however, that Roxas remains undecided.
“He [Roxas] has not decided,” Drilon said, adding that Roxas, who is married to broadcaster Korina Sanchez, “is also enjoying his private life.”
The Senate Minority Leader asserted that Roxas is “extremely qualified” to take on the task of lawmaking, citing his stint as former member of the Senate.
“Certainly. He [Roxas] is extremely qualified…. We confirm that we have asked him to consider,” Drilon said. “That is a personal decision for Senator Mar.”
In the same interview, Drilon dodged a question on what should constitute an ideal composition of an opposition senatorial slate. “We have not gone that far. We are just reviewing a possible list of candidates. I am not at liberty to make an announcement.”
Drilon declined to give a fixed date for the party leaders to decide the final composition of LP senatorial ticket. “It will be a collective decision of the leadership,” he said.
At the same time, Drilon did not rule out the possibility the party would open its door to non-LP bets being included in their senatorial ticket.
Asked if this meant the LP would forge a coalition arrangement with other parties, the Senate Minority Leader replied: “Me, personally, I am realistic that it is not easy to complete a 12-man slate at this point. Let’s leave it at that, and let’s see what happens in the next several months.”
Drilon, however, declined to confirm if non-members have expressed desire to be included in the LP senatorial ticket. “I’m just saying that it is not easy to put up a 12-man slate.”
“So far, we are working on a slate. It’s not easy being in the opposition, and it’s a mid-term election. These are the challenges that we face,” he added.