Aquino not worried about Poe’s looming presidential bid

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—President Aquino has shrugged off reports that Sen. Grace Poe will announce her presidential candidacy on Sept. 16.

Asked if the administration was worried with the reported announcement of Poe, who has been consistently ahead in popularity surveys, the President said here on Monday: “Worried? Why should we be worried of her announcing her plans? We really would like to hear what she says,” the President told reporters at the inauguration of the Iloilo Convention Center.

“I think the party stands on a particular platform. We are moving away from personality politics to platform-based politics. So whatever her announcement is, we still…will be advocating governance-based on a…particular specific platform rather than just any personality,” the President said.

He said he could not yet say if the ruling coalition has narrowed its choice for their vice presidential candidate. But he said former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas would have the “biggest say” on their choice.