Batangas Governor Vilma Santos. FILE PHOTO
Amid speculations that she was being courted by the Liberal Party (LP) to be the running-mate of standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto on Monday said she has no ambition to run for vice president in the 2016 elections.
The multi-awarded actress, who attended LP’s show of force at Gloria Maris in Greenhills on Monday, said there had been no formal invitation from or talks with the camp of Roxas.
“Wala pong ganyang mga usapan. Wala pong formal talk regarding sa vice president. Walang ganun,” Santos said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM. “Sa totoo nga po ay wala naman pong, again if I may, wala naman pong formal talk.”
Santos was one of more than 2,000 local officials who gathered in a luncheon held by LP in support of Roxas on Monday, three days after the latter was officially endorsed by President Benigno Aquino III as the administration’s presidential bet in 2016.
READ: LGU leagues back Roxas 100 %–Gov. Umali | Aquino pops up at LP ‘show of force’ for Roxas
Saying that she never imagined herself becoming a politician, Santos also added she was thankful nevertheless for those who have been considering and pushing her to seek higher office next year.
“Sabi ko nga po noong una, never in my wildest dreams, na artista po ako, na ako po ay mapapasok sa pulitika pero nagpapasalamat po ako ng taos puso sa mga Batangueno na pinagkatiwalaan ako, at sa susunod na taon po ay labingwalang taon akong nagsilbi sa kanila. Una ay naging mayor tapos ngayon ay gobernador. Maraming salamat,” she said. “Pero kung [vice president], wala akong ambisyon, wala sa plano ko. At hindi rin naman po ako interesado.”
The Batangas governor said she has been mulling to run for Congress as she enjoys serving her constituents, but added that she is yet to come up with a final decision.
“Pinag-iisipan ko lang po baka kase nageenjoy po ako na pagsilbihan ang mga constituents ko sa Batangas, siguro po given a chance, pero wala pa rin pong finale. Baka sakali po ma-consider ko ‘yung Congresswoman. Pero hindi pa rin po final ‘yun,” she said. With a report by Angeli Mae Cantillana, INQUIRER.net trainee
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