Palace says talk of Poe-Escudero Senate slate all speculation

Senators Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero link arms in this photo taken during the 2013 elections. Malacañang has said reports that the senators are starting to form their own senatorial lineup for the 2016 elections are mere speculations. INQUIRER PHOTO

Malacañang on Wednesday said it didn’t believe in reports that Senators Grace Poe and Franciz “Chiz” Escudero were starting to create their own Senate slate for the 2016 elections.

“The reports we have been seeing come from different sources. Do we have an opportunity to verify what is actually happening?” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing. “Based on my observations, we seem to be relying on the pronouncements of certain political personalities.”

On Tuesday, Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) president and House Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao revealed Poe and Escudero, said to be considering running as independent candidates in the 2016 elections, were preparing their own senatorial lineup.

Asked if such plans would conflict with President Benigno Aquino III’s proposal for Poe to be Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II’s running mate, Coloma said the reports were still in the realm of speculation.

He said such plans would only take a concrete shape after the filing of certificates of candidacy in October.

Nevertheless, in an earlier text to INQUIRER.net, Coloma said “it is well within their (Poe’s and Escudero’s) rights to prepare for the elections in the manner that they deem most appropriate.”

Among the personalities reportedly being considered for the so-called senatorial slate of Poe and Escudero are boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) chief Joel Villanueva, and former Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

READ THE FULL LIST HERE: Poe, Escudero said to be readying senatorial lineup

Aquino has endorsed Roxas as Liberal Party’s standard-bearer. However, Poe has yet to agree to be his running mate. Unconfirmed reports said Poe was considering running for president in 2016 with Escudero as her vice president. Kristine Angeli Sabillo/RC