Aquino’s endorsement reserved for LP members only, says Drilon

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, bottom, adjusts his glasses as Senate President Franklin Drilon looks on during his 5th State of the Nation Address during the joint session of the 16th Congress at the House of Representatives in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines Monday, July 28, 2014. AP FILE PHOTO

President Benigno Aquino III will not endorse a non-Liberal Party (LP) member in next year’s elections, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Thursday.

“Sa palagay ko ay mukhang paga-asa lang po iyan at hindi po mangyayari na ang Pangulong Aquino ay mag-eendorse ng iisang kandidato na hindi sa Partido Liberal,” Drilon, vice chairman of LP, said in an interview over DZRH.

(I think it’s just wishful thinking, but I don’t think President Aquino will endorse a candidate who is not a member of the Liberal Party.)

“Siya po ay sa partido, at inaasahan namin na ang mga plataproma ng Partido Liberal ang kanyang isusulong at kanyang ieendorse ang isang kandidato mula sa Partido Liberal,”  he said.

(He is for the party, and we expect that he will push the LP platforms and that he will endorse a candidate from the Liberal Party.)

Drilon was reacting to Vice President Jejomar Binay, who expressed hope Wednesday that Aquino would still endorse him for president in 2016. Binay is a friend of Aquino and his family.

READ: Binay eyes Aquino backing

The Senate leader said LP is hoping that the President, after his last State of the Nation Address (Sona) in July, will endorse Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as the party’s standard-bearer.

READ: Roxas will be LP’s bet—Drilon

Unlike Binay though, Roxas has yet to publicly declare whether or not he would join the presidential race.

“Umaasa kami na [si] Mar Roxas ang ieendorso ng Pangulong PNoy pagdating ng panahon sa Hulyo, pagkatapos ng Sona. Sabi ng Pangulong Aquino ay doon siya mag-announce ng kanyang endorsement, at sa ngayon, let it stand that way,” Drilon said.

(We are hoping that President Aquino will endorse Mar Roxas in July, after his Sona. The President said he would announce there his endorsement, let it stand that way.)

Drilon did not rule out the possibility though that a non-LP member, Senator Grace Poe, could still be offered to become Roxas’ running mate in 2016. IDL

RELATED VIDEOS