LP execs advise Grace Poe to run as Mar’s VP first

At least two Liberal Party officials have advised Senator Grace Poe to put off any plan to run for president until 2022 and instead settle on becoming the running-mate of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas in next year’s elections.

Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas, the newly appointed chair of the LP’s organizing and membership committee, on Thursday pushed for a Mar-Poe tandem in the 2016 polls, saying their victory would assure the country of another 12 years of continued good governance and high economic growth.

Despite Roxas’ poor survey ratings, Treñas said Roxas is a “sure winner” in 2016 if he will have Poe as his running-mate and President Benigno Aquino III, LP’s chair, as his main endorser.

He said it would be best if Poe runs under LP as vice president first before aspiring for the presidency in 2022.

"Senator Poe is a charismatic and very capable leader, but it would be best if she would go under internship first so that she further master the needed skill sets in the executive branch,” he said.

“Mar Roxas, on the hand, is ripe and ready for the presidency, having been one of the country's most outstanding legislators and now a brilliant trouble shooter and trusted adviser of the president,” Treñas added.

Gain more experience

Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, LP vice chair for political affairs, echoed Treñas opinion that Poe would do better to run for vice president first.

“Senator Poe is an excellent leader who could gain more experience by service as vice president,” he said.

Erice said the ruling party will not be dictated by popularity surveys in choosing its standard bearer as he vouched for Roxas’ integrity, competence and experience.

“The capability to continue the reforms under ‘Tuwid na Daan’ serves as the determining factor in the LP’s choice. Secretary Mar Roxas possesses all these qualities (integrity, competence and experience),” he said.

Reforms should be permanent

In an interview with Bombo Radyo earlier in the day, Aquino admitted seeing Poe as a potential successor even as the LP has yet to decide on a standard bearer for the 2016 elections.

“Siyempre, personal, lahat nitong pinagpaguran, ‘di ba? Luha, pawis, dugo na ibinuhos natin dito na magpatuloy, hindi six years na nagkaroon ng ganitong ginhawa ang Pilipinas. Kailangan maging permanente na ito,” Aquino said.

“At palagay natin si Senator Grace isa sa mga taong puwede talagang inaasahan nating magpatuloy at talagang puwedeng magpatuloy nito,” he added.

Both Poe and Aquino have confirmed meeting with each other recently to discuss possible alliances and candidacies for the 2016 elections.  —KBK, GMA News