Grace Poe to make ‘important announcement’ on Wednesday –staff

(Updated 3:02 p.m.) Senator Grace Poe is set to make "an important announcement" regarding her political plans in 2016 on Wednesday evening, her office confirmed Tuesday.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Poe's staff said the event, to be held at the University of the Philippines' Bahay ng Alumni in Diliman, Quezon City, will be attended by "family, friends, and supporters."

The program will start at 4 p.m., with Poe's announcement expected at 6 p.m.

Earlier reports have it that Poe will declare her presidential bid for the 2016 elections during the event.

Asked to elaborate, Poe's staff said, "No further details yet."

Wednesday's announcement may put an end to speculations of what higher position Poe will seek in next year's elections.

The surprise topnotcher in the 2013 senatorial election is seen as a strong contender for both president and vice president, with high ratings in recent surveys by Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations, even surpassing Vice President Jejomar Binay in presidential polls.

The Liberal Party had tried to woo her to become the running mate of its presumptive standard bearer, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

But while saying she was also an advocate of the administration's bid for "daang matuwid," Poe, the adopted daughter of the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. and actress Susan Roces, had asked the party not to wait for her decision.

President Benigno Aquino III, meanwhile, had earlier said the LP is not worried about Poe running for president. 

In Malacañang, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Tuesday reiterated President Aquino's earlier statement that the administration is moving away from personality-based politics.

"Hindi naman ito nakabatay lamang sa mga personalidad kung hindi kung ano 'yung programa na isinusulong. 'Yan ang naging pahayag ng Pangulo," Coloma said ahead of Poe's announcement.

Coloma added that the same principle applies to Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, who earlier expressed her willingness to run for vice president if nobody else will.

Robredo, widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, is among those being considered by Roxas to be his running mate next year.

Roxas, meanwhile, refused to comment on Poe's possible announcement, saying the LP was not informed about her event on Wednesday night.

"Anuman ang mensahe ni Senadora Grace bukas ay wala naman po kaming advance information kaya hindi naman po kami pwedeng mag-comment," he told reporters at the Balara Elementary School in Quezon City during the endorsement of A TEACHER party-list. — with Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez and Trisha Macas/KBK, GMA News