15 names vying for Liberal Party senatorial slate

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Franklin Drilon on Thursday revealed that the Liberal Party (LP) has 15 names on its list of possible senatorial candidates in the 2016 national elections.

"It's a little bit tight. We have 15 names on our list and all of them will be screened so that we willl be able to offer to the people the best choices for the Senate," Drilon said in an interview with radio dzRH.

In an earlier interview with ANC's Headstart, LP political and electoral affairs and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice listed the possible senatorial line-up of the party.

Four re-electionist senators are among the list of the ruling party's initial line-up - Drilon, Sen. Ralph Recto, Sen. Teofisto "TG" Guingona III and former Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan.

READ: 4 re-electionists in Liberal Party's senatorial slate

Erice also mentioned other possible senatorial bets:

• Justice Secretary Leila de Lima
• Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva
• Sen. Lito Lapid's son Mark Lapid
• Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla
• Metro Manila Development Authority chair Francis Tolentino
• Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno
• Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo
• former Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas.

Drilon noted that the LP has until September 30 to finalize its senatorial ticket and its vice presidential candidate.

President Benigno Aquino III earlier endorsed former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II as the presidential candidate of the administration party for the 2016 elections.

Roxas is yet to announce his running mate for the upcoming elections. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Batnagas Gov. Vilma Santos and Robredo are among his possible running mates.