A three-way contest for the presidency in the 2016 elections shaped up yesterday as the Liberal Party (LP) affirmed it is fielding Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II as party standard bearer after President Aquino ends his term while the Lakas-CMD party of former President Arroyo will field Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla for the presidential run.
Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) had long indicated his plan to seek the highest post of the land in 2016. He said, however, the 2016 polls will be "interesting." The 2016 elections can be considered the second edition of the bruising Binay against Roxas faceoff. Binay came from behind to trounce Roxas for the vice presidency in the 2010 national elections.
LP chairman Sen. Franklin Drilon announced the LP will field Roxas for the 2013 presidential polls, scheduled three years from now. Just when this came out, House Minority Leader Rep. Danny Suarez bared the Lakas-CMD party's plan to convince its president, Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., to join the 2013 presidential race.
Drilon's revelation was made during a television appearance Tuesday night when he was asked by the host on who will be LP's standard bearer for 2016 since Binay is believed to be a shoo-in insofar as the political opposition is concerned. "Mar Roxas," the senator said, referring to their party president. "Is this cast in stone?" the host asked to which Drilon replied with: "Yes it is." When asked if there are some efforts already underway to prepare Roxas in seeking a higher office, Drilon said they are preparing by means of strictly adhering to the straight path policy of President Aquino. "That is our preparation. Because it is all about good governance. That is the advocacy of LP which the President (Aquino) is the chairman," he said.
But when interviewed by Senate reporters, Drilon said it was the consensus of the LP in backing Roxas in the presidential elections although they have yet to hear from the Cabinet secretary on this matter or any concrete plans insofar as his political ambitions in the near future. "I do not know exactly, what is in his mind but he said he has not yet decided. I assume he has not decided because he wants to concentrate of his job in the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) and does not want his decisions to be influenced by 2016 at this point," Drilon said.
Both Roxas and Revilla when asked about the endorsements from their party said they have not entertained the idea of a presidential run.
"We perfectly understand his position when (Roxas) said that it came as a surprise to him and that it is not on his mind. Insofar as the LP is concerned, and insofar as I am concerned, I believe he is the most qualified now. This senatorial election is just a preparation for the 2016 (polls)," Drilon added.
The same was elicited from Revilla, when sought by reporters on the claims made by Suarez saying that it's too early to discuss his political plans. "While we're still here (in the Senate), we'd like to concentrate on our work here for now. But I will prepare for it. I cannot say that am ready but we will prepare for it, we will study our moves carefully. What is at stake here is the interest of the people," he said.
Revilla emphasized that the moment he makes public his decision to take a bid in the presidential race, it goes without saying that he's well-prepared in seeking a higher position, the highest post in government. "As I said, I have yet to make any decision. I'm still studying my options. I was told it's no walk in the park. I will decide when the right time comes," he said. Revilla said their party will try to decide Tuesday next week what will be the party stand on this matter.
Sources: Tribune and Interaksyon
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