MANILA, Aug. 13 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday there is plenty of time to choose the running mate of the Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer for next year’s presidential election, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II.
The President endorsed Secretary Roxas last month but the interior secretary has yet to choose his vice president.
When asked if time is running out for the LP to name a vice presidential candidate, President Aquino replied, “No. At the end of the day, di ba ‘yung election is still in May and there is still plenty of time to introduce whoever will be the running mate of Secretary Mar.”
The LP and Roxas have been trying to get Senator Grace Poe as his running mate but the senator said she has not been formally asked.
President Aquino said no formal meeting has been scheduled with Poe.
“Ngayon, walang naka-schedule. Parang, I think we have all said our respective views. Like I said, the lines are still open, pero walang formal na meeting,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, President Aquino said he will meet with two potential candidates for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) post to be vacated by Roxas.
“Both seem to be willing pero gusto kong i-confirm sa kanila dahil, siyempre, lalo na the remaining 10 months or so, parang ang tail end… lalo na ng kampanya — grabe ang pressure na aabutin ng DILG secretary. Siguro kailangan ko namang makausap nang masinsinan ang dalawang ito,” he said.
“Ipinapatapos ko pa rin sa kanya (Roxas) lahat ng mga assignment niya up to the furthest extent possible. Siyempre ayaw natin magkaroon ng transition muna na made-delay na naman ang mga projects, especially sa informal settlers,” said the President on why he asked Roxas to extend his stay as DILG chief. (PNA)