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Self-explanatory, Pimentel says on Mocha’s non inclusion in PDP-Laban possible Senate bets


Despite being repeatedly named as a possible senatorial bet of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in the past months, Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson was left out of the list submitted by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Asked about Uson’s non-inclusion in the list, Pimentel, PDP-Laban president, just said it was “self-explanatory.”

He said among the criteria in choosing the line up are party membership, service to the party, willingness to run, name recall,  and winnability.

“Kailangan supportive of the President, believes in pushing federalism, winnable, magandang reputation, we are OK,” he said.

Asked if he was casting doubts on Uson's reputation, Pimentel said he did not say anything to that effect.

“Wala akong sinabing ganun. Basta limit to the names in the letter muna in the meantime. Basta she is not on the list,” he said.

He said if ever the President, who has a last say on the list eventually picks Uson, Pimentel said they will discuss it first among themselves.

Asked about the latest memorandum issued by the Presidential Communications Operations Office reminding its executives and employees to observe professionalism by being mindful of what they post online and on other media platforms, the senator just said: "You see, you see? Tama ako."

He did not elaborate.

Last week, the senator advised the Communications official to stay away from the topic of federalism until she learns enough about it.

"Di ko lubos akalain na bababuyin pala nila ang kawsa ng Pederalismo," he said. "Ilayo na si Mocha sa Pederalismo. Mag-aral muna siya ng mabuti. Mag leave muna siya,” he said.

This was after Uson posted a video of "Good News Game Show" with co-host Drew Olivar dancing while chanting, "I-pepe, i-pepe, i-dede, i-dede... ipederalismo!" and gesturing to his crotch and chest.

Pimentel admitted he made a mistake in trusting Uson, whom he once named as one of the 20 personalities under consideration by PDP-Laban for its 12-person senatorial slate for the 2019 mid-term elections.

Among those included in the list are Pimentel, Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go; presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino; Davao City Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles; Maguindanao Rep. Zajid "Dong" Mangudadatu; Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman; Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario; singer Freddie Aguilar; former news anchor Jiggy Manicad; Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo "Albee" Benitez; and Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo ‘Dax’ Cua.

Pimentel said from outside the party, the party  can recruit "friends" such presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte; Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa; actor Robin Padilla; former Senator Lito Lapid; former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan; columnist Ramon Tulfo; presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.; and Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano.

He also mentioned five re-electionist senators who belong to the majority coalition in the Senate “who are generally supportive of your administration” namely Senators Cynthia Villar, Juan Edgardo Angara, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Grace Poe, and Nancy Binay. — MDM, GMA News

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