TAHASANG sinabi kahapon ni Pangulong Aquino na nananatili pa ring kinokonsidera si Interior Secretary Mar Roxas bilang standard bearer ng Liberal Party (LP) sa harap naman ng mga ulat na maaaring pumayag na lamang siyang tumakbo bilang bise presidente sa 2016.
“I was surprised to read in certain publications that parang—it’s as if he is not being considered to be the standard bearer of our coalition. I find it strange na bakit ganoon?” sabi ni Aquino.
Nauna nang lumutang na papayag na si Roxas na tumakbong muli na bise presidente matapos naman ang mga ulat na si Sen. Grace Poe ang magiging pambato ng LP.
“He has demonstrated quite a wide range of expertise in so many different assignments. He is a valuable member of the Cabinet. He has been a staunch leader of the party even during the days that we are in the opposition,” giit ni Aquino habang pinagtatanggol si Roxas.
Matatandaang napilitang tumakbo si Roxas na bise presidente noong 2010 para mapagbigyan si Aquino.
“And kumbaga, he has demonstrated, ‘di ba, even the ability to sacrifice. Previously, for instance, when he gave way to me. So all of these traits should point out that he is—iyong to my mind, as far as our coalition is concerned, he is at the top of the list,” giit ni Aquino.
Idinagdag ni Aquino na patuloy ang ginagawang konsultasyon ng LP bilang paghahanda sa 2016.
“Now, we are still undergoing a lot of consultations and we will have a consensus. And hopefully—[there] might be a little more delay when we announce, probably after the SONA (State of the Nation Address), iyong who we will be endorsing but we just want this dialogue to be as thorough and encompassing as possible with all the sectors that are involved in the coalition,” ayon pa kay Aquino.
Hindi naman direktang sinagot ni Aquino kung mas pabor siya sa Poe-Mar o Mar-Poe.
“Baka I can tell you July after the SONA,” sabi pa ni Aquino.