Drilon: Leni Robredo is LP’s VP

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON FILE PHOTO

Senate President Franklin Drilon confirmed on Wednesday that Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo would be the running-mate of the administration’s bet in 2016.

READ: Leni Robredo gets more time to decide but LP sources say she’s Roxas’ VP

Drilon made this confirmation when asked in an interview over ABS-CBN’s morning show, “Umagang Kay Ganda,” if Robredo would be the running-mate of former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

“Malamang. Sabihin na lang natin na si Congresswoman Leni na ang kandidato natin sa pagkabise-presidente,”the Senate leader said.

(Probably. Let’s just say that Congresswoman is already our candidate for vice president.)

He issued the statement ahead of the Liberal Party’s (LP) National Executive Council meeting this Wednesday morning where members would nominate their candidates for president and vice president as well as their senatorial line up.

Robredo also has yet to formally make the announcement amid persistent persuasion from the camp of Roxas and LP. She says she is considering heavily the opinion of her children with the late former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo.

“Si Secretary Mar Roxas ang aming inonominate bilang aming kandidato sa pagka-pangulo, at sa ngayon ay ‘yung mga senador, ay lagpas po sa 12. Medyo patuloy ang paguusap, may 15 sa aming listahan,” said Drilon, vice chairman of LP.

(We will nominate Secretary Mar Roxas as our candidate for president, and now we have more than 12 senators. Talks are ongoing because we have 15 in the list)

“Sabi ko nga, labis sa 12, kaya amin pang pinaguusapan (As I have said, we are considering more than 12, so we’re still talking),” Drilon added.

Roxas had already announced his presidential bid in 2016. Maila Ager/IDL

READ: ‘I am Mar Roxas, I accept the challenge of my bosses’