LP to pick bets for president, vice president early next year

MANILA, Philippines - Liberal Party (LP) leaders will start early next year the process of selecting their presidential and vice presidential candidate in 2016.

Speaking over radio station dzBB, Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, LP secretary general, said he expects President Aquino, the party’s titular head, to convene the national executive committee early next year to tackle the issue of selecting the presidential, vice presidential and senatorial candidates. 

“Let’s see what happens when the NEC convenes its first meeting,” Sarmiento said.  “Whatever happens, the issue of tapping Sen. Grace Poe as the vice presidential candidate will be formally taken up.”

However, Sarmiento said Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II remains the LP’s “presumptive choice.”

Roxas remains focused on his work, while Poe “has shown her passion to serve well,” he added.

Sarmiento said many LP members support a Roxas-Poe tandem.

 It will not be hard for them to convince the NEC to approve the alliance, he added.

Sarmiento dismissed comments that the LP was wooing Poe because her strong showing in surveys may pull up Roxas’ ratings.

The LP remains open to forging alliances with other political parties to strengthen its campaign for 2016, he added.

Binay mum on Roxas-Poe

Vice President Jejomar Binay remained mum on the possible Roxas-Poe tandem in 2016. 

Speaking to reporters, Binay said he remains focused on his work, not the 2016 presidential polls.

“Let’s do our work first, the elections are still far,” he said. “I will not stop doing my work.” 

In a previous interview, Binay said he is considering Poe to be his running mate in 2016.

Poe has consistently topped the Pulse Asia surveys on potential vice presidential candidates. She ranked second in the recent presidential survey of Pulse Asia, next to Binay.

The Vice President led yesterday the distribution of checks worth P23 million to 543 beneficiaries under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) of the Socialized Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig.

He also distributed letters of guaranty to 493 beneficiaries from Richville, La Vista, and Amberland Home Owners Associations, who will soon be eligible to receive loans under the CMP.

With the checks, the recipients may now purchase the lots that they are occupying.

The CMP is a mortgage financing scheme that assists legally organized associations of residents in depressed areas. – Helen Flores, Paolo Romero