Administration allies batting for Poe-Roxas or Poe-Escudero

‘Critical player’

Abad argued that a Roxas-Poe tandem “presents the best opportunity” for “the continuity of good governance reforms started in the Aquino administration.”

Abad described both leaders as “trustworthy public servants with no taint of corruption.”

“Roxas clearly has had more experience serving in the executive and in the legislature and is familiar with the inner workings of both,” he said.

“Poe, on the other hand, has shown herself to be a fast learner and a hard worker. Finally, both can work closely with President Aquino, who will be a critical player in the 2016 elections.”

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. did not answer directly if he favored a Poe-Escudero tandem. Belmonte just said: “As of now, the LP is not ready for it.”

But other members of the administration coalition have come forward to make a pitch for Poe-Escudero.

Popular appeal

Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said a Poe-Escudero duo was formidable because of its “masa,” or popular, appeal.

“Undoubtedly such a tandem might also appeal to a lot of younger voters, who make up a big chunk of the electorate in 2016,” Angara said in a text message.

“In a country where integrity and corruption issues traditionally carry great weight in every presidential election, there would be no baggage for them as well,” Angara said.

All the way for Poe

Secretary Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) also endorsed a Poe-Escudero team as a potent choice to continue the “tuwid na daan” (rightful path) reform of this administration. Villanueva said that Aquino’s endorsement would push them to the top.

Calamba Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco of the Nacionalista Party said he was a “fan” of both Poe and Escudero and he would like to have the President endorse both as the administration’s standard-bearer.

Batangas Rep. Marc Leandro Mendoza of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) said his party considered both Poe and Escudero “family.”

While Escudero was formerly an NPC member, Mendoza said he was hopeful the President would endorse the Poe-Escudero tandem for 2016.

Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto said that he would go all the way for Poe in the election no matter what post she would contest. Sotto, however, said the NPC had not yet decided who to support in the election.

Sen. Ralph Recto, a vice president of the LP, said that while Roxas was the LP’s de facto standard-bearer as of now, he was personally open to having a non-LP as the administration’s candidate as long as he or she would continue the legacy of Aquino.

Recto also said Roxas himself had several possibilities for 2016 and not all of them were about running for President.

“Just in case he will run for senator, Mar can be Senate President. He can also be Finance Secretary if he does not become president,” Recto said.

Escudero and Poe did not return the Inquirer’s calls for comment.

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