MANILA, Philippines - The three expected top presidential candidates in next year’s elections – Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe, and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II – are coincidentally in Cebu today on separate engagements, apparently to woo voters.
Binay, head of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, left for Cebu yesterday while Poe has been there since the weekend, and Roxas will be accompanied by President Aquino when they leave Manila this morning.
The Palace didn’t give details, however, on what will be the official function of Aquino and Roxas in Cebu except to say it was a “gathering of friends.”
Binay’s spokesman, Joey Salgado, said the Vice President was invited by local businessmen in Cebu.
Binay will also visit today Barangays Climaco, Puting Bato and Dumlug in Toledo City and Barangays Camp 4, Jaclupan and Tabunoc in Talisay City.
The Vice President criticized the administration for failing to provide Cebu with its rightful share in national taxes and major infrastructure projects in the past five years.
Poe will be in Cebu City today to attend the celebration of the foundation week of the University of San Carlos (USC).
She will be at the USC campus at 9 a.m.
Meanwhile, the expected tandem of Poe and Sen. Francis Escudero for the top posts in the land has eight names in its possible senatorial lineup for next year.
A source that requested anonymity said among the candidates being considered are Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar, Taguig Rep. Lino Cayetano, re-electionist Senators Tito Sotto and Ralph Recto, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Joel Villanueva, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian.
“These names are likely to form a united ticket that will champion the interest of the people. There will be a series of deliberations to be undertaken to formalize their entry,” the source said.
“The forming of grand unity ticket will be a significant step towards national unity.” – With Christina Mendez