Herbert cause delay of LP announcement of its senatorial lineup

The Liberal Party (LP) postponed for Monday the announcement of its senatorial lineup due to the withdrawal of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino and to give Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista time to decide.

The LP was supposed to present its senatorial ticket today at its Balay headquarters in Quezon City.

“The decision of prospective candidate MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino to withdraw from consideration in the Daang Matuwid Coalition slate and to give Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista additional time to reflect and to consult with his family require the postponement of the scheduled presentation of the senatorial slate of the Daang Matuwid Coalition,” LP said in a statement on Thursday evening.

“We believe this additional time for discernment is in the best interest of the parties and candidates concerned. The presentation of the official senatorial slate of the Daang Matuwid Coalition will therefore be on Monday, October 12,” it added.

Tolentino withdrew from the LP-led Daang Matuwid Coalition after he was dragged in a controversy stirred by a lewd show last week in Laguna.

Three scantily-clad women who are members of the goup Playgirls performed a sexy dance number during the celebration of the 58th birthday and 40th anniversary in public service of Laguna 4th District Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr.

The program’s emcee repeatedly announced that the dancers were surprise gifts of Tolentino to Agabao.

The raunchy number, which has been criticized for being demeaning to women, was performed even if there were minors in the audience.

Despite the controversy, LP presidential bet Manuel Roxas II believes Tolentino is “a true believer” of the administration’s straight path policy and that the Laguna incident does not reflect the totality of the MMDA chief’s service to the people.