Roxas: ‘I have high respect for Poe’

By: Maila Ager - 10 years ago

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas: More patrol jeeps

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas II. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II was mum over his presidential plan in 2016, but not when asked if he would consider Senator Grace Poe to be his running mate.

In an ambush interview after attending a budget hearing at the Senate, Roxas suddenly clammed up when a reporter asked who would be his running mate in the upcoming elections.

He answered other controversial questions except about politics.

Roxas also evaded reporter’s questions about some of his partymates’ endorsement of his presidential bid, which was also confirmed by Senate President Franklin Drilon, a ranking official of the Liberal Party.

But when Poe’s name was mentioned as his possible running mate, Roxas said: “Mataas ang aming respeto kay Senadora Poe (I have high respect for Poe).”

Drilon, in a radio interview, confirmed that Roxas is LP’s presidential candidate in 2016.

“Tama po iyan (That’s correct). I would confirm that,” said the Senate leader.

Drilon was reacting to Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya’s statement Tuesday that majority of LP members are dead set on Roxas as the party’s standard bearer.

Roxas ran but lost to Vice President Jejomar Binay in 2010.