BUKIDNON – Two Bukidnon congressmen are now officially a part of the Liberal Party senatorial slate. Incumbent Bukidnon Second District Rep. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III and former Bukidnon First District Rep. JR Nereus “Neric” Acosta were named as senatorial bets of the Liberal Party early today, November 16, 2009 during the party’s national executive committee meeting.

Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas will run for president and vice president under the LP banner, respectively.

Guingona, currently serving his second term as Bukidnon congressman, used to be a part of Senator Manny Villar’s Nacionalista Party. In August 2009, he was named as NP’s second senatorial bet, after Atty. Adel Tamano, a fellow Mindanaoan. Guingona however then shifted allegiance to the LP a few weeks ago.

Acosta, on the other hand, lost in his gubernatorial bid against incumbent Bukidnon Gov. Jose Zubiri, Jr. in the previous elections. Acosta is also currently facing graft charges along with his mother, former Manolo Fortich Bukidnon mayor Socorro Acosta and his aunt Nemia Bornidor. The case stems from Neric Acosta’s alleged channeling of public funds to BINHI, Inc., a Manolo Fortich-based non government organization. The Ombudsman has denied Acosta and his co-respondents’ motion for reconsideration. Moreover, Fr. Venancio Balansag told Bukidnon Online that the Sandiganbayan has already issued warrants of arrest to Acosta and to the rest of the respondents. All of them have posted bail. Read Balansag’s comment here.

Acosta and Guingona joins fellow LP senatorial bets Franklin Drilon, now LP chairman; Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III; former Bukidnon congressman Neric Acosta; Akbayan party list Rep. Riza Hontiveros Baraquel and Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, Sergio Osmena, Gen. Danilo Lim and Sonia Roco.

What can you say about these developments? Do you think Guingona and Acosta have what it takes to win?

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