Roxas open to running with Vilma Santos in 2016

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said he welcomes the possibility of running with Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto in the 2016 national elections.

In an ambush interview during the distribution of patrol jeepneys at the Batangas City provincial capitol Friday, the presumptive standard-bearer of the Liberal Party said he is open to the possibility of Santos being his running mate in the upcoming polls.

“Well, bakit naman hindi? It’s not for me to say. Pero tignan na lang natin ang record,” he said.

(Well, why not? It’s not for me to say. But let us just look at the records.)

The governor accompanied Roxas when he turned over brand new patrol jeeps to all 31 municipalities of Batangas. Roxas said the procurement of patrol vehicles for the Batangas police is part of Santos’ HEARTS program, which stands for health; education, employment, and environment; agriculture; roads and infrastructure; tourism and technology; and shelter and security.

The Secretary said Santos’ experience as Lipa City mayor for nine years and as a three-term governor makes her viable to run for the position.

“A whole myriad of budgetary deficit to security, to agriculture, lahat ‘yan ay naharap niya. So, kung titignan, may kakayahan, may karanasan, may kaalaman kung ano ang gagawain. Nasa sa kanya at nasa mga kababayan n’ya kung ano ang mangyayari.”

(She faced a whole myriad of budgetary deficit to security, to agriculture. So, if you look at it, she has the aptitude and the experience to assume the job. It is up to her and her constituents on what to do.)

“When the good people of the Philippines get together with the good leadership, walang limitasyon. Mafa-fast forward natin ito sa magandang bukas (there will be no limit. We can move faster to a better future),” Roxas said.

In earlier interviews, however, the actress-turned-politician dismissed talks that she would run for higher office in 2016. Prior to this, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said his wife plans to retire from politics and go back to her acting career.

Rumors also cropped up that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was considering teaming up with Santos. This was later denied by Duterte, who had said that despite the public clamor, he will not gun for the presidency in the elections. IDL