2016 aspirants present platforms before NUP

MANILA, Philippines — Two presidential aspirants and a senator seeking for a higher post in the country on Monday presented their platforms to the National Unity Party (NUP) during its national convention.

United Nationalist Alliance presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay, Liberal Party’s (LP) standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. showed up before the 500 members of the third largest political party in the House of Representatives, NUP, delivering their speeches that discussed their achievements and platforms.

Binay discussed his achievements as former mayor of Makati City and chair of the National Housing Authority and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino worker’s concerns.

"I have a lot of things to say to you but overall, my government, if you will vote me, I have a lot of good projects, but the most important is the implementation of the programs and project and that is what I call executive ability,” Binay said.

The vice president vowed to address the problems in the country by constantly consulting and meeting with the local government units.

Meanwhile, Marcos, a Nacionalista Party member, took the stage to speak and thank the NUP delegates who became part of his political career. 

"Thank you very much for this invitation because I would be able to say that I have enjoyed the support in my political career from many individuals in this room here and also from the NUP. And for that I am very grateful, and for that I would like to thank you,” Marcos said. “I’m afraid I would not be making any earth-shaking announcements today” referring to rumored presidential bid announcement.

The senator described the 2016 elections as complicated, citing that not everyone knows the stand of every political party. 

During the interview, Marcos admitted that he has been speaking with various people and groups, including Binay, who is still looking for his running mate, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who has yet to reconsider his presidential bid.

In a separate interview, Binay admitted that his camp is considering Marcos as one of his possible vice presidential candidates.

Roxas was the last to woo the NUP members, saying he came to ask for their support to continue the "Daang Matuwid" next year. 

Like Binay, Roxas tackled achievements particularly by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III under the 'Daang Matuwid.'

"The future requires hardwork by those who believe that progressive future is necessary for 100 million Filipinos who wanted to live a decent life,” Roxas said.

"That’s the road of Daang Matuwid that everybody dreamed of five years ago. That’s the way we want to achieve a better future for everybody,” he added.

Roxas is set to announce LP’s vice presidential candidate on Wednesday at his residence in Cubao, Quezon City.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe, who is also a presidential aspirant, has been invited by the NUP but skipped the convention due to a previous commitment.

"I already met with a few leaders of the NUP a few weeks ago and I’ve presented our platform of government to the public last September 16,” Poe said in a press statement.