In a phone interview with the Variety, Tenorio said aside from Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider and his running mate Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, the team of former Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Galvin Deleon Guerrero is also seeking the GOP’s nomination.
Rep. Diego T. Benavente also submitted his letter of intent but has yet to name a running mate.
“It is the party’s rule that if we have more than one candidate for the same position, a primary election is a must,” Tenorio said.
Asked about Benavente’s candidacy, Tenorio said: “The letter of intent he submitted in December is still intact. There is no communication from him to withdraw it.”
GOP leaders met over the weekend to discuss the primary and other election issues.
Tenorio said they agreed that all candidates must submit their letters of intent to the GOP on or before March 20.
All 20 seats in the House of Representatives and six Senate seats are up for grabs this November.
Tenorio said the GOP intends to be the ruling party again.
“That’s our goal,” he added.
