Liberal Party ‘dead set’ on having Roxas as bet in 2016—Abaya

Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya

MANILA, Philippines — Majority members of the administration’s Liberal Party (LP) are “dead set” to have Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as its standard-bearer in 2016, a ranking official said on Tuesday.

While President  Benigno  Aquino  III, chairman of the party, was  mum  over his  choice  to be his  successor,   acting  LP president and  Transportation  Secretary Joseph  Emilio Abaya did not mince  words when asked  if  Roxas  was still  LP’s choice  for  president.

“Definitely,” Abaya said when asked if the majority members of LP are still pushing for Roxas.

And when  asked  why Aquino himself  could  not say if Roxas would be the party’s choice, Abaya  said there is the right time to make such announcement lest they be accused of  politicking.

Aside from Roxas, Abaya said, LP is neither considering other alternatives nor adopting a non-party member.

“No, honestly we don’t even talk about it. We’re just dead set that Secretary Mar will be our flag-bearer. No alternatives or anything, no. We’re just busy trying to fix airports and trains.”

Asked if the President himself is being considered to run again for the highest post, Abaya said in jest: “No, I think he keeps that to himself. I’m not privy to that.”

While they preferred Roxas to be the party’s standard-bearer,  Abaya pointed  out there is still a selection process lest they be accused again of  dictating on their partymates.

Asked again when the party finds it right to announce its official bet for 2016, the transportation chief said in jest: “When we fix up the airports, fix up the rails, fix up the ports.”

But what if he fails to solve the transportation problems in the country, Abaya said: “Then it will just be divine intervention…”

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