Roxas too busy with work to think of his presidential run

INTERIOR Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, too, believes that members of the Cabinet who intend to run in the 2016 elections should resign for them not to be accused of using government resources for their political gains.

He said it is “natural” for Cabinet secretaries eyeing for elective posts to resign. But will Roxas step down as head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government?

The secretary declined anew to confirm his presidential run, but gave a vague answer: “May ginagampanan akong tungkulin. Sa tingin niyo ba, pangangampanya o trabaho ito?”

“Kaming lahat sa Gabinete ni Pangulong Aquino ay inatasan na tumutok sa trabaho. Mayroon tayong obligasyon sa ating mga kababayan sa daang matuwid na ibigay sa kanila ang kumpleto at buong serbisyo,” he said at the sidelines of the launching of “Project Safe KAm” in Caloocan City on Wednesday.

Asked when he would declare his candidacy, he said: “Dadating at dadating din tayo dyan… Malalaman din ninyo.”

Senator JV Ejercito on Tuesday called on Cabinet members and government officials, out of delicadeza (sense of propriety), to leave their posts early if they want to seek elective positions.

That way, Ejercito said, it wouldn’t appear as if they’re using their positions for their political plans.

His statement came amid Vice President Jejomar Binay’s resignation from the Cabinet as chief of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and as presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers affairs.

President Benigno Aquino III has yet to name the standard-bearer of the ruling Liberal Party. But as early as now, LP members have openly declared their support for Roxas as the party’s presidential candidate.

But when asked when is the proper time for Roxas to resign, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, in a separate ambush interview, said “immediately before or after the President endorses him.”