PNoy was 'not politicking' in naming possible LP senatorial bets

No politicking was behind the naming by President Aquino of possible senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party in 2013, Malacañang said Wednesday.   “It’s not politicking,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters at a briefing and noted that the personalities named by the President “were previously involved or previously were with him during the presidential campaign who ran as senators.”   Aquino, in a television interview on Tuesday, said he wanted defeated senatorial candidates Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Ruffy Biazon (now Customs commissioner), Danny Lim (now Customs intelligence head), and incumbent Senator Antonio Trillanes to be part of the LP slate in 2013.   The President also wants Budget Secretary Florencio Abad on the list, but the Cabinet official declined the offer.   Abad was Aquino’s campaign manager in the senatorial and presidential campaigns in 2007 and 2010, respectively.   Lacierda said it was not surprising for Aquino to resound the names of same people with whom he believed in.   “Marami tayong cluster sa Cabinet, everybody is working towards… [reforms]. The main statement of the President does not mean that we are politicking,” he maintained.   “The President is firm, is focused on improving the economy, making sure that these reforms are pushed forward and that two-pronged agenda of the President — of eradicating poverty and curbing graft and corruption — are still paramount in his agenda,” he added.   Lacierda said the President is clear 2013 is still a year away. “What we want to do right now is to move the economy further and to make the reform in all its phases.”   In the same television interview, Aquino said Vice President Jejomar Binay’s party might not be part of the LP coalition partners in 2013 due to some possible differences.   “Siyempre 2013, parang everybody will agree to the concept of we should have one candidate. Aquino noted.   “Then when it comes to which candidate, doon ang disagreement… you have to prepare for a bruising battle in 2016,” he said. “How many candidates will there be once 2016 comes in and you have to really differentiate and be the frontrunner and all… that,” the President added. — VS/HS, GMA News