Vilma: LGU experience important for VP post; Robredo qualified

Experience in local government service is an important criterion for those who will seek the vice presidential post in the 2016 elections, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto said on Monday.

Santos, who is supposedly being considered by Liberal Party (LP) to be the running mate of standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, said the administrative and people-oriented nature of service in local government units would be of great help to the country’s next vice president.

“Importante rin po kase yung local eh, yung may experience na sa local. Kasi ito rin po ‘yung administratibo, tsaka derekta sa tao,” Santos said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Santos, however, clarified that she had no interest in running for vice president, saying she was yet to decide if she would seek higher office in 2016. She added that there was no formal invitation from the camp of Roxas.

READ: Vilma Santos ‘not interested’ in running for VP, mulls Congress post

Asked if Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, who was also being tagged as Roxas’ possible running mate, was qualified to run for vice president, Santos answered with a resounding yes.

“Oo naman po. Bukod sa alam nating magaling din po siya, ‘yung background din po niya sa kanyang asawa na nasa local din,” she said. “‘Yun din po ‘yung pinanggagalingan niya ngayon as congresswoman. She is very competent. She’s doing very well.”

But Leni, wife of the late local government secretary and longtime Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, said she was considering running for the Senate instead of vice presidency.

READ: Leni Robredo not keen as Roxas’ VP | Robredo more interested in Senate than VP post

On the possibility of Sen. Grace Poe as LP’s vice presidential bet in 2016, the Batangas governor said the senator had “good intentions” for the country.

“Bakit po hindi? Si Sen. Grace naman ay maganda rin ang hangarin sa ating bansa. So, I wish her well,” Santos said. “Pero ‘yung ganitong pagli-lead sila dapat ang magdesisyon niyan. Kase sa totoo lang po, kung totoong serbisyo ang pag-uusapan, hindi po ‘yan ‘yung enjoyment—talagang sakripisyo po yan for the people na nagtiwala sa kanila.”

Poe, who is yet to announce her plans in 2016, has been invited by Roxas to be his running mate on national television.

READ: Mar Roxas asks Grace Poe to be his VP on national TV | Vilma Santos: Grace Poe ‘ready, willing’ to become president

Highlighting the importance of teamwork and amid growing speculations on LP’s possible vice presidential bet next year, Santos said Roxas should personally pick a running mate whom he was comfortable working with.

“Alam n’yo ho kung magiging president man si Sec. Mar, palagay ko ‘yung pipiliin niyang ka-partner niya, siya dapat ang pumili,” she said. “Hindi dahil ginusto ng tao, kung sino ang binulong sa kanya. Ang importante kung sino ‘yung gusto niya, magiging komportable siya na katrabaho niya sa anim na taon.” With a report by Angeli Mae Cantillana