Filtered By: Topstories
News

LP to hold convention to finalize selection of Roxas’ running mate


The Liberal Party will hold a convention late this month to finalize the selection of former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas’ running mate, a ranking party official said Thursday.

Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, LP’s vice president for political affairs, said the ruling party is unfazed by the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero because it will have a vice president to nominate when the National Executive Council (NECO) convenes on Sept. 28.

“Why shall we be bothered? We will have our candidate in time for our convention on Sept. 28,” Erice said in a text message following Poe’s endorsement of Escudero’s candidacy for vice president.

Resolution No. 9984 released by the Commission on Elections sets the period for political parties to hold conventions to nominate their official candidates from Sept. 12 to 30, 2015.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, LP’s acting president, earlier said the party is ready to present its vice presidential candidate and a complete senatorial slate by Sept. 28.

In a separate interview, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, LP spokesperson, said the party has given Roxas a free hand in choosing his running mate since he has been endorsed by LP chairman, President Benigno Aquino III.

“Si Sec. Mar na ang bahala doon [sa pagpili ng running mate]. He was given blanket authority by the party,” Evardone said.

Erice earlier said the party is considering Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto to become Roxas’ running mate next to Poe, who on Wednesday declared her plan to run for president in 2016.

Robredo and Santos Recto are both LP stalwarts, while Cayetano is from the Nacionalista Party.

Both female politicians, however, have thumbed down the offer to become Roxas’ running mate, while Cayetano said he is open to the idea. —KBK, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT