Who the Opposition should pick for their Senate Slate

UPDATED: According to Ernie Maceda, here are following "senatoriables" being considered for the opposition senatorial ticket:

1. Former Vice President Tito Guingona
2. Sen. Loren Legarda
3. Sen. Ping Lacson
4. Sen. Loi Ejercito
5. Sen. Francis Pangilinan
6. Sen. Manuel Villar
7. Mayor JV Ejercito
8. Sen. Joker Arroyo
9. Sen. Tito Sotto
10. Sen. John Osmena
11. Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta
12. Sen. Gringo Honasan
13. Sen. Kit Tatad
14. Sen. Nikki Coseteng
15. Rep. Francis Escudero
16. Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano
17. Rep. Noynoy Aquino
18. Rep. Rodolfo Ompong Plaza
19. Rep. Imee Marcos
20. Rep. Lou Antonino
21. Atty. Aquilino “Coco” Pimentel III
22. Sec. Dinky Soliman
23. Usec. Toots Ople
24. Broadcaster Arnold Clavio

According to Maceda, the final list of 12 official candidates will be finalized after consultations among the different opposition parties. It will be announced on or about Jan. 15, 2007.

Okay. now that those info are out of the way, drumroll please... here are my personal Senate picks for 2007, in no particular order:

1) Guingona
2) Lacson
3) Cayetano
4) Escudero
5) Villar
6) Pangilinan
7) Legarda
8) Loi Estrada
9) Joker Arroyo
10) Randy David
11) Toots Ople
12) ?????

I'll explain. Guingona, Lacson, Cayetano, Escudero, Villar, Legarda, and Loi Estrada are no brainers.

I hope Loi runs para hindi na tumakbo si JV Ejercito.

Why Joker Arroyo? He's not part of the opposition, and I don't agree with some of his positions, but he's a smart, independent guy who i'd like to see return to the Senate.

Why Kiko Pangilinan? After his recent comments on Con Ass and his resignation call to Arroyo last 2005, plus his support for impeaching arroyo, I'm leaning towards including him in the slate, even if he used to be Mr. Noted.

Why Randy David? Because he's a smart man who understand the masa. he's a man of integrity, honesty and decency. IMO. I strongly hope the opposition considers his candidacy.

Why Toots Ople? I think she a young, promising and attractive candidate with plenty of potential. She's a member of the One Voice group.

re the 12th Candidate, undecided pa ako kung sino ang kukunin. Ito ang pinagpipilian ko:

Koko Pimentel, NoyNoy Aquino, Winnie Monsod o si Ralph Recto.

Si kuya Manuel naman, ito ang dream team niya. This was written

Ito naman yung Senate dream team ni MLQ3. he made this list last November 2006:

1. Randy David, who understands the people.
2. Filomeno Sta. Ana III, an economist whose heart and brain are in the right place.
3. Willy Prilles, Jr. (I’d keep Jesse Robrero where he is, for now, as he needs to be a local executive long enough to ensure a change that lasts), for education reform and regional development advocacy.
4. Gail Ilagan, from Mindanao, an educator.
5. Silvestre Afable Jr., for oversight on the armed forces, and someone who knows how government can -and should- work.
6. Michael Tan, he understands health, education, and minority rights.
7. Dean Jorge Bocobo, because we need someone who understands science.
8. Alex Lacson (”12 Little Things You Can Do For Your Country”).
9. Edwin Lacierda, because not just the letter, but the spirit, of the law needs to be upheld.
10. Yoly Ong, who knows the ins and outs and the good and bad of the communications industry.
11. Rene Azurin, who, like Randy David, has his brain and heart in the right place, too.
12. Federico Macaranas of the AIM Policy Center.

Manuel, the names you mention in your senatorial lineup like prilles, gail ilagan, michael tan, tito dean, ed lacierda, and yoly ong, have a better chance of winning if they ran for the House seat in their districts.

siguro sa lahat ng nabanggit mo, si prof. david lang ang may magandang chance na manalo nationally ng isang senate seat.

UPDATE: Other possible names to consider:

Nereus Acosta
Roilo Golez
Oscar Orbos
Teddy Casino
Sonia Roco

Who I don't want to see in the opposition lineup:

Gringo Honasan
Ed Angara

2nd Draft ng Senate Slate ko:

1) Guingona
2) Lacson
3) Cayetano
4) Escudero
5) Villar
6) Pangilinan
7) Legarda
8) Loi Estrada
9) Joker Arroyo
10) Randy David
11) Susan Ople
12) Oscar Orbos

But there's nothing final in that list. Some of the people listed here might still make it to my top 12 if I decided to do some reshuffling, which is a huge possibility. I'm still in favor of Villar and Pangilinan in the lineup. Not Recto though.

Koko Pimentel
Noynoy Aquino
Sonia Roco
Roilo Golez
Teddy Casino

Who I've dropped from my considertions list:
1) Ralph Recto (i'm now stronly leaning against including him)
2) Winnie Monsod (maybe too pro-Arroyo for my own taste)