Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano on Tuesday, June 5, confirmed that he accepted the nomination of his party to run for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections.

“I have accepted the nomination of the Magdalo Group to run as Senator on the incoming 2019 elections,” Alejano said in a statement.

The Magdalo lawmaker said the Philippines needs more independent-minded senators “to speak for the people, stand up for our democracy, and defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity” because “most seem to be silent and indifferent to the abuses of the Duterte administration and its apparent subservience to China.”

Alejano, who has been vocal against the government’s soft stance on the South China Sea dispute, earlier said that the Philippines “effectively” lost control over Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) under President Rodrigo Duterte’s term. He even urged Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to resign from his post for his “inaction against Chinese incursions and illegal actions” in the WPS.

[READ: Alejano: PH lost control of Sandy Cay under Duterte’s watch]

In his statement, the opposition lawmaker said that he was grateful for the trust and confidence of his colleagues in Magdalo, particularly Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for the nomination.

“I humbly submit to the direction and wisdom of the group as we have always decided collectively on important issues affecting our country,” he said.

“The fight for good governance and a corrupt-free nation that Magdalo started in 2003 is a lifelong commitment that I will carry on this new endeavor,” he added.

Trillanes previously announced that Magdalo group is urging Alejano, who was a former soldier, to run for Senator in 2019 as they believe that the latter is “very much qualified” for the post.

“Siyempre naniniwala kami na (Of course we believe that) he is very much qualified to do so, may paninindigan at (has principles and he is a) war hero ‘yan. His heart is in the right place,” Trillanes said.

“Kaya natin tinutulak si Congressman Alejano sa pagtakbo sa senador itong 2019 ay para may titindig pa rin laban sa mga pang-aabuso nito Duterte (The reason why we are pushing Congressman Alejano to run for Senator in 2019 is because there will be someone who will stand against the abuses of Duterte),” he added.