Palace: Aquino mum on bet; LP’s Drilon free to choose

Malacañang on Wednesday clarified that President Benigno Aquino III has yet to name his preferred successor amid reports that Liberal Party has already chosen Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Senate President Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“While the President has yet to endorse his candidate, it does not preclude [Senate President Franklin Drilon] to identify the person [he] believes will tread the straight path and push the reforms the President started beyond 2016,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

Lacierda said Aquino had so far only “described the virtues of someone he believes should succeed him—one that will continue to tread the straight path and continue the reforms he started in 2010.”

The statement came after media reported that Liberal Party vice chair Drilon already identified Roxas as the party‘s standard-bearer.

While it is widely believed that Roxas, who is Aquino’s running mate during the 2010 elections, will be chosen by LP to run as president, he has not been doing well in election surveys.

Reports say it is the reason why Aquino has been delaying his announcement of LP’s standard bearer. RC

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