Aquino not going to decide alone on LP standard-bearer, says solon

DILG Sec. Mar Roxas (left) and Senator Grace Poe have emerged as the probable standard-bearers for the Liberal Party in the 2016 elections. FILE PHOTOS

It’s not automatic that President Benigno Aquino III’s choice will be the Liberal Party (LP)’s choice in 2016, an administration lawmaker said on Saturday.

As the titular head, the President’s word carries a lot of weight within LP, but ultimately, his decision on who to support in next year’s election “will have to be approved by the LP members,” said Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas, chair of LP’s organizing and membership committee.

“Definitely, President Aquino’s personal decision on who to support in 2016 will carry a lot of weight on LP’s decision-making process but it is premature to be drawing conclusions at this time,” he said in a statement.

READ: Aquino’s choice of 2016 candidate is his alone—Palace

“The President has to make his decision first before the party can make an appropriate decision,” he said.

Treñas’ position differed starkly from other LP stalwarts at the House of Representatives.

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II and Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, in remarks made last week, both said the party would take its cue from Mr. Aquino.

“LP and President Aquino and [Interior Secretary] Mar Roxas will decide as one,” said Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, LP’s chair for political affairs.

“We know by heart and mind what to do to pursue tuwid na daan [straight path] and provide continuity to the gains of the Aquino presidency,” he said.

Speculations about a looming breakup within the ruling party have surfaced in recent days as a result of conflicting signals about Mr. Aquino’s choice for LP standard-bearer, and differing views on whether to go with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas or Sen. Grace Poe.

READ: LP rejects talk party headed for breakup

“Anything is possible at this time but definitely, LP will remain intact and it will remain very solid even after 2016,” Treñas said, denying talk of a looming breakup.

Gonzales, LP’s parliamentary caucus chair, on Tuesday admitted he was unsure of whether LP would remain intact.

“Only time will tell, but political history will tell us, based on past events, that parties separate and break up because in the setting of Philippine politics, you cannot avoid that,” he said.

His statement appeared to reinforce speculations of a growing rift within LP on who to choose between Roxas, the sentimental favorite, and Poe, the rising upstart.

READ: LP torn between Mar Roxas, Grace Poe

But Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, LP secretary general, said LP would not be brought down by intrigue and would remain strong in spite of all the speculations.

“These differences on certain political preferences are part of our party dynamics but definitely it will not fracture the party. LP will remain a party to reckon with and will continue to play a key role in the country’s political landscape even after 2016. That’s for sure,” he said.

Although some LP members are supporting Poe as LP’s possible standard-bearer, a majority of the party members are rooting for Roxas, a “true-blue” LP member, Treñas said.

“We can disagree but at the end of the day, we will decide as one party and embrace the decision of the majority,” he said.