GO will violate coalition deal if Kiko replaced - LP

Liberal Party president Franklin Drilon told reporters on Thursday that if the Genuine Opposition (GO) finds a replacement for Francis “Kiko" Pangilinan in its 12-man Senate slate, this would violate the coalition agreement entered into by the two groups, radio station dzBB reported. Pangilinan, an LP member who has declared he will run as an independent, was officially dropped on Wednesday as a GO guest candidate after insisting on not joining the opposition’s campaign sorties, including the February 24 proclamation rally at the Plaza Miranda in Manila. Pangilinan, who was present along with LP officials at the weekly “Kapihan sa Senado" forum, asked that the issue of his being dropped by GO be set aside to allow the party to concentrate more on the issues and the campaign. When asked what the LP would do if GO did name a replacement, the LP officials said they will make a decision only when it happens. LP vice-president Florencio Abad said that replacing Pangilinan in the opposition slate would only “complicate" the matter. Abad stressed that the party is committed to supporting Pangilinan along with the 11 remaining GO Senate bets, which also includes another LP member, Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III. Abad pointed out that if the GO finds a replacement, this would bring the number of candidates the LP will have to support to 13. The same dzBB report noted that GO spokesperson Adel Tamano said senior GO officials have yet to discuss whether to name a replacement for Pangilinan or who it would be. -Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV