Aquino: LP not giving up on Poe until filing of candidacy

The ruling Liberal Party will not give up on wooing Sen. Grace Poe to be the running mate of its standard-bearer Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, President Benigno Aquino III said on Tuesday.

Emphasizing the importance of a united administration coalition, Aquino said LP will continue to court Poe to be its vice presidential bet in the 2016 elections.

“Until the end of filing of candidacy period, I don’t think we’re giving up. Iba pa rin ‘yung united,” Aquino said during the Meet Inquirer forum at the Philippine Daily Inquirer headquarters in Makati City.

Poe, who topped recent preference surveys for possible presidential bets, has yet to declare her plans in next year’s polls. However, the lady senator is reported to seek the top national post with Sen. Francis Escudero as her vice president.

“There are several (possible running mates of Roxas) that are being considered. Sana tanggapin niya (Poe),” Aquino added.

Asked on Roxas’ advantages and chances of winning against Poe in the presidential race, Aquino said that while the lady senator was one with them in “daang matuwid,” Roxas was definitely more experienced.

“’Yung mahaba-habang service ni Mar. Is she as prepared as Mar?” Aquino said.

“May continuity. How does one argue with success? What is your version of something better than what is already happening?” he added. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/JE