Palace brushes aside 2016 wannabes

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang brushed aside Tuesday reports the names being floated for the 2016 national elections.

“That is not our priority,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a televised press briefing.

Coloma said the Palace is instead focusing its efforts on President Benigno Aquino III’s remaining 849 days in office.

“Every day is important for the administration to discuss the five primary pillars of the Philippine Development Plan: inclusive growth, poverty reduction and social protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation, law and order and security, and good governance and anti-corruption,” he said.

Coloma declined to comment on rumors that Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and the President’s sister Kris Aquino will be running mates, as president and vice president, in the upcoming presidential elections.

“That is not the priority of our administration and commenting on political issues is not included in my job description,” he said.

Among the names mentioned in relation to the 2016 national elections are Vice President Jejomar Binay, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Senators Chiz Escudero, Bong Revilla, Alan Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV.

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