LP leaves door open to Poe; Party members still want her for VP

Reactions nationwide

Billy Roseno, LP coordinator for Eastern Visayas, said Roxas “is the best choice the Liberal Party can offer to the Filipino people.”

“Among the presidential aspirants, he is a complete package. He has the integrity, competence and experience. Others were weighed but were found wanting,” he said.

Boy Pernia, political officer of Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, said Mr. Aquino’s endorsement of Roxas was expected.

In Pangasinan, Rep. Jesus Celeste, a member of the NPC, said he would abide by the party’s decision. But his brother, Alaminos City Mayor Celeste, also an NPC member, said he had doubts that the party would support Roxas.

Bayambang Mayor Ricardo Camacho said he was happy about Mr. Aquino’s decision to endorse Roxas.

“I’ve been supporting the President’s ‘matuwid na daan’ (straight path governance) and Interior Secretary Roxas is the right person to ensure its continuity,” said Camacho, who is not affiliated with any party.

He said Roxas performed well as the DILG head.

In Bulacan, Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz said he and 16 other Bulacan mayors would join Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado in taking their oath as LP members on Friday.

Cruz said they agreed to support whomever the President and the LP leadership would endorse as standard-bearer.

No choice

Fr. Edwin Lusterio, director of Family Life Ministry in Laguna, said Mr. Aquino “has no choice but to anoint Roxas because the LP would be divided if he doesn’t. But if he is free to choose, Grace Poe would be better.”

“Roxas has no issue on corruption and his family in Capiz is rich. Hence, he is a good choice. His only issue is that his mother is an Araneta and [does] not live in the province,” said Jerry Distor of San Pedro City.

Norman Novio, a Mindoro-based blogger, said Mr. Aquino’s endorsement of Roxas would “mean nothing if the coalition will be divided.” Reports from Mar S. Arguelles, Delfin Mallari Jr., Michael B. Jaucian, Romulo Ponte, Juan Escandor Jr. and Madonna T. Virola, Inquirer Southern Luzon; Vincent Cabreza, Yolanda Sotelo and Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon; and Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Inquirer Central Luzon; Carla P. Gomez, Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Leo Udtohan and Joey A. Gabieta, Inquirer Visayas; DJ Yap in Manila