MANILA, Philippines - For Malacañang, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II will not slide down to a vice presidential candidacy and become Sen. Grace Poe's running mate in the 2016 elections.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino made it clear that Roxas is the best candidate who can continue the administration's reforms.
"Sinabi na rin ito ni Secretary Roxas—the torch has been passed," Lacierda said. "The 'Daang Matuwid' torch has been passed to Secretary Mar Roxas and in the estimation, in the view of the president, Secretary Mar Roxas will be the best person to lead, to continue Daang Matuwid."
Aquino officially endorsed Roxas last month as the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party.
Before anointing Roxas, Aquino also met with Poe and Sen. Francis Escudero, two officials who ran under the administration ticket in the 2013 polls.
Aquino and Roxas are still hoping that Poe will be the vice presidential bet of the administration.
Lacierda said the administration remains hopeful that Poe will agree to be the running mate of Roxas in 2016.
"We are still hoping that Sen. Grace Poe would consider being the co-pilot of Secretary Mar Roxas. But there are other people who feel that there are other candidates for that particular position. We are agnostic about it because right now we’re looking at Sen. Grace Poe," he said.
However, Lacierda hinted that they cannot wait for Poe's decision for too long.
"I will say this with all the love—sa totoo naman, wala namang forever," Roxas said with a laugh.
Poe, the topnotcher of the 2013 senatorial elections, also ranks first in national presidential preference surveys, followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and Roxas.
No public funds for Mar campaign
Lacierda refuted claims that the 2016 national budget will be used for the presidential campaign of Roxas.
"Secretary Mar Roxas has never used his personal—his position to advance a gain for his own family. Do you expect he will do this?" he said.
He claimed that Roxas has never been tainted with corruption and that he has always maintained his integrity.