Revilla not in a hurry for 2016 polls, says he’s focused on May elections

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Saying he would be focusing on the May elections in the meantime, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. said on Tuesday, that he has not made up his mind about taking a shot at the presidency in 2016.

According to Revilla, he is not in a hurry to seek higher office, and such a thing can be a matter of destiny.

He made the statements in reaction to an earlier pronouncement House Minority Leader and Lakas-CMD partymate Danilo Suarez that he could be the standard bearer of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats in 2016.

The senator, also a TV and movie actor, said he was honored at being touted as a contender for the presidency, alongside Vice President Jejomar Binay and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas.

“It’s too early to call. We haven’t discussed that in the party. I am not in a hurry. I do believe in destiny. If it will come, it will come,” Revilla told reporters.

He added that such an undertaking would entail a lot of preparation, and he would like to be ready, should it happen.

“If I make a decision, that means I’m ready,” he said.

Revilla was named the new Lakas-CMD chairman on Tuesday, and he handed over the party presidency to Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Suarez earlier said Lakas-CMD would work to strengthen the party so it could play a significant role in the 2016 elections.

He said a revitalized Lakas would be to Revilla’s advantage because he could be the party’s standard bearer three years from now.

Lakas-CMD was the ruling political party from 2001 to 2010, when its standard bearer, then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, now the Pampanga representative, was in power.

But after the 2010 elections, many of its members jumped ship to other parties and switched alliances.