Mar tops P-Noy list of ‘presidentiables’

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II remains “on top” of the list of President Aquino’s choices for successor.

The President made this clear yesterday, but said he would have to defer making an official announcement until after the ruling Liberal Party has established a consensus on the matter with coalition allies or after his last State of the Nation Address on July 27. Aquino chairs the LP.

“To my mind, as far as our coalition is concerned, he (Roxas) is at the top of the list,” he said in a chance interview at the Marikina Elementary School where he observed officials implement the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015.

“We are still undergoing a lot of consultations and we will have a consensus,” Aquino said. LP’s coalition partners include the Nationalist People’s Coalition and the Nacionalista Party.

“There might be a little more delay when we announce, probably after the SONA, the one 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,” Aquino said.

He declined to say if he is comfortable with the tandem of Roxas and Sen. Grace Poe, or vice versa.

“Maybe I can tell you in July after the SONA,” Aquino said.

Aquino said he found puzzling some news reports that he was not considering Roxas as his successor. “I was surprised to read in certain publications that it’s as if he is not being considered to be the standard bearer of our coalition. I find it strange na bakit ganun (why it was so). “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 were in the opposition,” Aquino said, referring to Roxas.

The President also praised Roxas for his “ability to sacrifice,” especially when the latter agreed to set aside his presidential ambition to run instead as Aquino’s runningmate in 2010. Roxas lost to Jejomar Binay.

Last April, Aquino reportedly directed Roxas to work harder on improving his ratings or lose a presidential endorsement.

Roxas is trailing behind Binay and Poe in popularity ratings. Poe has not even voiced any intention to run for president in 2016.

For Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, Aquino’s declaring anew his preference for Roxas should now prompt the latter to announce his intention to run for president next year.

“P-Noy’s statement that Secretary Roxas is his top choice for his successor is a big boost to his presidential bid. I think it is a signal for him to declare now his 2016 presidential plans,” Evardone, an LP member, said.

“Indeed, Secretary Mar is the most highly qualified to pursue the reforms initiated by P-Noy because of his unquestionable integrity and track record of public service,” he said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, LP vice chairman, has made a similar appeal.

There are reports that Roxas plans to announce his presidential bid next month.

He has told LP members that unlike Binay, he would give up his Cabinet post the moment he declares for the presidency.