MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) Senator Manuel ?Mar? Roxas II will be the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party (LP) in 2010, party chairman Franklin Drilon and other party leaders announced on Friday.

Drilon also said the LP will not coalesce with other parties unless they accept Roxas as standard bearer.

?That?s correct, yes, we will not agree to a any coalition [if] Mar Roxas is not the standard bearer,? Drilon said at a press conference in Manila.

Despite this, Roxas, the LP president, still would not say if he would, indeed, seek the presidency next year.

Even as he thanked his party mates for the endorsement, Roxas said: "We have a process and I expect to participate in that process."

But Drilon said the selection process would be a mere ?formality.?

?We all know, our candidate is Mar Roxas in 2010,? he said.

Drilon said the LP has started consultations on its senatorial lineup and expects the process, including its choice of Roxas? running mate, to be completed before the end of the year.

He said only the presidency is non-negotiable.

?Hindi na kami open [for any other posts]. Standard bearer namin si Mar Roxas. Ngayon, kung gusto nilang [other parties] mag vice-president, pag-usapan natin [We are no longer open. Mar Roxas is our standard bearer. Now, if they want to field a vice president, let us talk],? he said.

LP campaign manager Florencio "Butch" Abad said among those being considered for the party?s senatorial slate are Drilon, Muntinlupa Representative Rufino Rozzano Biazon, former Bukidnon representative Nereus Acosta, Quezon Representative Lorenzo "Erin" Tanada III, Naga Mayor Jesse Robredo, and Isabela Governor Grace Padaca.

Abad confirmed the party is also in "discussion" on the possibility of adding Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros, TV personality Cory Quirino, and Leah Navarro of the Black and White Movement, into its senatorial lineup.

Earlier, at a forum on Charter change attended by members and key party officials, Cavite Representative Joseph Abaya, the LP secretary general, announced that Roxas would run for president.

"Tatakbo po ba si Mar Roxas sa 2010? Ang sagot po diyan ay isang malinaw at klaradong opo [Will Mar Roxas run in 2010? The answer is a clear and resounding yes]," Abaya said.

"That is my responsibility as secretary general, to ensure that no one will leave this room with doubt, speculation, or second thoughts that Mar Roxas will not run in 2010. I hope that is clear to everyone,? Abaya said in Filipino.