Mocha seeks House seat; Bong Go eyes Senate

MANILA – Two supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte were seeking positions in the legislative branch in the 2019 midterm elections.

Margaux “Mocha” Uson filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) as party-list representative on Monday at the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros.

The former presidential communications assistant secretary will run as a nominee for the AA Kasosyo party-list.

Uson was grateful that AA Kasosyo accommodated her even if she will be espousing the rights of immigrant workers – a far cry from the party-list’s advocacies for farmers.

“Advocacy ng (AA Kasosyo) ay sa farmers,” she said. “Pero ako, dinadala ko ang adbokasiya na bigyan ng boses ang mga OFW (overseas Filipino workers), bigyan sila ng kabuhayan at sariling negosyo.”

Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, on the other hand, filed a COC for senator despite earlier announcing that he has no plan to seek an elective post.

“Nalulungkot ako dahil mahihiwalay sa tabi ni Pangulong Duterte,” Go said. “Madami akong natutunan sa paglilingkod ko kay Pangulo at iyon ang gagamitin ko sa Senado.”

Sen. Grace Poe, a pre-election survey frontrunner, was seeking re-election still as an independent candidate. Colleagues Cynthia Villar and Joseph Victor Ejercito filed their COCs still for senator as well.

Action film actor and former senator Lito Lapid sought a comeback in the Senate while representatives Rodolfo Alejano (Magdalo party-list) and Zajid Mangungudatu (Maguindanao) hope to enter the Upper House./PN