Aquino: Grace Poe among those who can continue my reforms

Without revealing the details of their negotiations, President Benigno Aquino III says he thinks Sen. Grace Poe will be able to continue the reforms of his administration.

“Palagay natin si Sen. Grace ay isa sa mga taong pwede talagang inaasahan nating magpatuloy (I think Senator Grace is among those we can rely on to continue [our reforms]),” he said during an interview over Bombo Radyo.

Sen. Grace Poe. JOAN BONDOC/INQUIRER PHOTO

“We believe her views are correct and what she wants to achieve is in the right direction,” Mr. Aquino said.

However, he said their discussion had yet to be finalized.

The President said the public should not be surprised with the meeting since Poe was among the senatorial candidates supported by the Liberal Party in 2013.

He did not say if Poe, who had been doing well in election polls, was being considered LP’s standard-bearer.

Aquino said he personally hoped the reforms he had started would become permanent.

Last week, the President confirmed he met with Poe. “Now, in what capacity, that’s not yet finalized,” he said.

Liberal Party bets

Aquino declined to say who he would endorse for the 2016 elections. While Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who is Aquino’s running mate in 2010, has expressed his willingness to become LP’s presidential bet, he has not been doing well in surveys.

He said the public would have to wait until June for his decision and announcement.

The President also said many politicians had expressed their interest in being included in LP’s senatorial slate.

“There are others and there are also some who tell me they are interested in a particular position,” he said.

Aquino said he was told that only two slots were available in the senatorial slate but the applicants were five times as many.