By Sammy F. Martin
MANILA, Aug. 5 (PNA) — Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas on Wednesday formally asked Senator Grace Poe to be his running-mate in the 2016 election under the banner of Liberal Party.
On two national television interview, Roxas said it would be better for the country if he wins the presidential race with the neophyte senator as his vice-president.
Roxas considered Poe as his best running mate, saying that the neophyte senator had all the plus factor to continue ‘daang matuwid.’
Roxas earlier vowed to continue the reforms gained under the ‘daang matuwid’ of the administration, which started by President Benigno Aquino III.
“Nagkaroon tayo ng magandang pundasyon. Nagkaroon tayo ng magandang panimula, pwedeng iarangakada na ito. Kung magpapalit pa tayo ng direksyon, balik na naman tayo sa zero,” Roxas said.
In a separate interview, the LP standard bearer openly invited Poe to become his running-mate.
“Iniimbita po namin si Senadora Grace Poe na sumama dito sa tandem na ito, sumama dito sa ating movement, sa ating laban para ipagpapatuloy ang pagpapalawak ng ‘Daang Matuwid,” he said.
Roxas clarified that he had offered Poe to become his running mate months ago, but he said the latter might have thought that it was not a formal offer because he had not been declared as the LP standard bearer at that time.
Roxas is also open to running with Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos or Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, saying the two could contribute to the continuity of the ‘Daang Matuwid’ governance of the present administration.
“Lahat sila ay may karanasan, kakayahan. Ipinakita ang malasakit sa ating kababayan,” he explained. “Ang pinakamahalagang katangian dito eh nakatutok, to the bones ang paniniwala sa Daang Matuwid.” (PNA)