Manila Bulletin

LP not giving up on Poe, Leni

- By CHARISSA M. LUCI

President Aquino’s ruling Liberal Party (LP) is not about to raise the white flag in its bid to convince Sen. Grace Poe to join the administra­tion banner in the 2016 elections.

Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, chairman of the LP committee on electoral and political affairs, said efforts to woo Poe to be the running mate of outgoing Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar, LP standard bearer, continues.

He said they still have 15 days to convince Poe before her scheduled declaratio­n at Club Filipino in San Juan. Poe is expected to declare her presidenti­al bid on Sept. 16.

Reports said Poe’s camp reserved a room at Club Filipino for the event and has set up a headquarte­rs as part of its preparatio­ns for the next year’s polls.

Erice said just in case they fail to get Poe’s nod, they are hopeful that they could get an equally qualified and winnable replacemen­t.

He said it is up to Roxas to decide on who to team up with for the 2016 elections, saying the vice presidenti­al bet should enjoy the latter’s trust, apart from her or his competence and qualificat­ions.

Erice earlier said with or without Poe, “we still have to pursue our vision, our dreams of our country through matuwid na daan.”

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, LP stalwart said Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo will “most likely” be chosen as Roxas’ running mate.

“We don’t have any regrets if we fail to convince Poe to join the President’s straight path campaign. Most likely, we will have Leni Robredo as our VP,” he said

Robredo’s daughters have earlier opposed calls for their mother to run for a higher elective post.

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