Mar still wants Grace as running mate

MANILA, Philippines - Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas has not given up on courting Senator Grace Poe to be his running mate in 2016.

“I am not opening new talks with other possible candidates for vice president in respect to Sen. Poe,” Roxas said yesterday during the turnover of housing units in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Quezon City Reps. Kit Belmonte and Alfred Vargas also attended the event.

Last Sunday, Roxas met with Poe at her home in San Juan City to talk about a possible tandem in next year’s elections.

Poe appears to be not keen on running as LP’s vice presidential candidate.

She thanked Roxas for the offer to be his running mate but told him not to wait for her decision, adding there are many out there to choose from.

Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo are also being eyed by the administration party to be Roxas’ running mate.

Santos and Robredo said they have no plans to run for higher office.

Roxas said time would come that he will eventually move on and search for another running mate.

He refused to comment about Poe’s statement that some of his allies are attacking her, but said the LP is serious in persuading the senator to unite with the administration and continue President Aquino’s straight path.

Mar-Noy tandem unbeatable

Calling it an “unbeatable tandem,” a senior administration lawmaker said there is no better running mate for Roxas than President Aquino.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. suggested that Aquino should consider running for vice president as there is no legal or moral impediment for him to do so.

“A Mar-Noy tandem would be the dream ticket, a dream team for the Filipino people. A tandem that will not only win but more importantly, would work for the next six years for the continuity of the straight path,” Barzaga said.

Barzaga, a stalwart of the National Unity Party, said it would be best for Aquino to take matters into his own hands once again after anointing Roxas as his successor.

“It would be more realistic for P-Noy to be Roxas’ running mate,” he said.

He said Roxas has waited too long for Poe to join him in his bid to continue what the administration has started in implementing sustainable reforms.

Barzaga said his idea is not at all new in Philippine politics, noting that the past two former presidents sought lower positions after their terms – Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada. – With Paolo Romero, Jess Diaz