CEBU CITY, Philippines—Even without a direct confirmation from the President, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II is the standard bearer of the Liberal Party (LP) in the upcoming 2016 elections—at least for now.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad vouched for Roxas as the successor of President Benigno Aquino III in a dialogue with the Cebu members of the Koalisyon ng Mamamayan para sa Reporma (Kompre) on Thursday.
In the said meeting at the Rajah Park Hotel in Cebu City, Lacierda bluntly hinted that Aquino had already picked Roxas as the LP’s presidential candidate.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. FILE PHOTO
“Siguro hindi naman lingid sa inyo kung sino dito sa kwartong ito ang magpapatuloy ng reporma. Hintayin na lang po natin ang ating Pangulong pumili pero sabi nga ni Butch may konting suspense lang pero alam na natin kung sino ‘yon (In this room, it’s not a secret anymore to all of you who will continue the reforms. Let’s wait for the President to choose but like what Butch (Abad) said, there’s a bit of suspense but we all know who will that be)” Lacierda said, followed by cheers for Roxas from the audience.
“Come 2016 and beyond 2016, let’s institutionalize reforms by institutionalizing and electing the rightful leader,” he said.
Abad also honored Roxas for shelving his presidential aspiration, giving way to Aquino a year after the late Corazon Aquino’s death.
The former Senator and transportation secretary then ran as LP’s vice presidential candidate.
In an ambush interview earlier at the Cebu Capitol, Abad said Roxas is the most qualified person to replace Aquino.
“If he’s going to be a standard bearer he is very well qualified for that position, in terms of executive ability, in terms of integrity, in terms of ability to manage people,” he said.
Despite the subtle hints of Aquino’s men, Abad neither confirmed nor denied that Roxas would run as President.
Abad, who said Roxas is the party’s “sentimental choice,” said the formal selection process for the LP standard-bearer has not been made yet.
”We have about 12 to 15 months left of the elections. In politics, many things can happen but the fact of the matter is the party is looking at him,” he added.
Originally posted: 5:50 pm | Thursday, October 16th, 2014
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