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ROXAS
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Secretary Mar Roxas is the Liberal Party (LP) candidate for the 2016 presidential election.
This was confirmed by no less than Ilonggo Senate president Franklin Drilon in an interview with DzRH radio yesterday.
“Tama po iyan (That’s true). I would confirm that,” said Drilon, echoing the statement of LP president Jun Abaya.
Abaya said the administration party is “dead set” on Roxas as its “flag-bearer.”
Roxas, currently the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, ran for vice president in 2010 but lost to then Makati City mayor Jejomar Binay.
Last month, Drilon said Roxas, a native of Capiz province, still has a fighting chance against Binay.
Binay has been vocal about his intent to run for higher office in the next election. He has been leading various surveys. But the LP is unfazed.
“One week is too long in politics. Just look back at our recent political history. You will see changes in the fortunes of candidates in a week or a month’s time,” said Drilon.
In a previous interview, Drilon said despite President Benigno Aquino III’s dipping popularity, his endorsement of Roxas would help raise the latter’s ratings.
Aquino is the chairman of LP while Drilon is the vice chairman.
Binay is the president of the United Nationalist Alliance. Last month, he claimed to have received information that the LP was considering getting him as their presidential bet for 2016. But Drilon denied this.
Drilon, meanwhile, was still tight-lipped about his plan for 2016.
He wanted to concentrate on lawmaking, he explained.
“Hayaan mo muna iyan. Marami pa kaming trabaho, at maraming batas na dapat ipasa at kulang na kami sa panahon,” said Drilon.
Just last June, a Malacañang official said the senator could be the LP’s standard bearer.
Drilon is qualified in terms of “experience” and “governance,” said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda as he noted the Senate leader’s experience in public service./PN
