Aquino or Roxas? Palace says ask LP

President Benigno Aquino III and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas (left). INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III’s spokesperson on Monday declined to comment on a lawmaker’s statement that Aquino would again run for the Liberal Party (LP) in 2016.

“LP would be in a better position to respond to that,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told media.

LP member and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice on Sunday said the party could only choose between Aquino and Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as their standard bearer for the 2016 elections

However, he said it would depend on whether Aquino will be “allowed to run again.”

A Pulse Asia survey released last week showed that six out of 10 Filipinos disapproved plans to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution to allow Aquino to be re-elected.

Critics said LP has yet to announce its standard bearer because of its shallow bench. Roxas is believed to be Aquino’s preferred candidate but he has been faring badly in electoral surveys against Vice President Jejomar Binay.

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