Poe to seek presidency

Noy: What, me worry?

MANILA, Philippines - With citizenship questions still unresolved, Sen. Grace Poe has made up her mind and will seek the presidency in 2016, according to Senate sources.

Poe is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow, during which she is expected to announce her final plans for the general elections, the sources said.

It was not clear if Sen. Francis Escudero would be her running mate, as Poe wishes.

President Aquino yesterday downplayed the possibility of Poe running against his anointed successor.

“Worried? Why should we be worried of her announcing her plans? We really would like to hear what she says. Are we worried? No, we are not worried. I think the party stands on a particular platform,” Aquino told reporters yesterday in Iloilo where he led the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park as well as the inauguration of Richmonde Hotel and the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).

“We are moving away from personality politics to platform-based politics. So whatever her announcement is, we still will be advocating governance based on a particular or specific platform… rather than just any personality,” the President said.

Aquino earlier said he has not given up trying to convince Poe to be the running mate of his chosen successor, Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel Roxas II.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, LP vice chairman, also said they have nothing to worry about Poe’s impending announcement of her plans.

“If indeed true, that validates my assertion before that the Liberal Party should start looking for a vice president, because Senator Poe has decided to run for president. Therefore, we should intensify our efforts to look for a partner for Secretary Roxas,” he added.

He stressed that Poe’s possible presidential run is unlikely to split the administration’s supporters.

“No. We are not worried. From the very start I have always said that we strengthen our candidate, Roxas, rather than rely on the strength of any other person. There is no change in plan. We will continue to build Secretary Roxas,” he added.

It  Escudero who bared last week Poe’s supposed plan to make an announcement of her political plans for 2016. He said he would make his own announcement immediately after Poe’s “because my own decision will be based on that.” Asked if the LP has narrowed down its choices for vice presidential candidate in the light of Poe’s apparent unwillingness to take the offer, Aquino merely said, “We do have a criteria as to whom.”

He stressed Roxas would have “the biggest say as to who he wants as a running mate.” 

In his speech at the inauguration of the ICC, Aquino made another pitch for Roxas.

He said the ICC is just one proof of the positive transformation the country has undergone since he assumed office in 2010.

“We were able to achieve this because of unity. In 2010, we chose the straight, the honest and reasonable governance. It is clear: You’re the ones who made and continue to make this positive transformation that we achieved,” the President said.

Next year, Aquino said the country would again be at the crossroads as the nation chooses its next leaders.

“The question is simple: do you like what we have achieved within our term or go back to the old system where the few abuse the suffering of the people? Do you think we have fulfilled or surpassed the promises we made when we were just starting? On my part, if the answer is yes, it is but right to continue what we started and choose the one who could undoubtedly continue the straight path,” the President said.

“I am confident that just like in 2010, the vast majority of the people in Iloilo will be on the side of what is right and reasonable,” he said, adding that betting on Roxas is betting on the straight path.

Poe is facing a disqualification case before the Senate Electoral Tribunal but SET has dropped the residency issue against her.

The nine-member tribunal and the camps of Poe and petitioner Rizalito David agreed to drop the residency question in compliance with a rule requiring the filing of disqualification petitions based on residency within 10 days from proclamation of the candidate.

The SET, chaired by SC Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and composed of two other justices and six senators, would deliberate on Poe’s citizenship case on Sept. 21.

Aside from the disqualification case he filed against Poe before the SET, David also filed last month a complaint before the Commission on Elections, accusing Poe of “material misrepresentation” in her certificate of candidacy for her senatorial bid in 2013.

David accused Poe of committing an election offense for misrepresenting her citizenship, period of residency in the Philippines and eligibility to run for senator.

Such violation is punishable with up to six years imprisonment, disqualification from holding public office and suspension of the right of suffrage.

Transition plans

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras assured Sen. Ralph Recto yesterday that the administration has transition plans for Cabinet members are leaving their posts to campaign for the 2016 national elections.

“For all those who have declared their intent to run. The Office of the President has a plan already. If they will push through with their intentions, there have been discussions as to who are the probable people who will take over,” Almendras said.

“And then the plans of each department are contained in a structure roadmap that we have been working for several years to put at ease the issue of follow-through,” said Almendras, who declared he is not a candidate for any post in the 2016 polls.

The secretary issued the statement after Recto insinuated in a public hearing that cabinet officials running in 2016 should make sure that the respective agencies would not be left hanging after their resignation.

Recto did not directly address his concerns to any Cabinet member, but Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino were present during the joint Senate hearing.

Tolentino and Abaya were reportedly being eyed as part of the administration’s senatorial slate. Apart from the two, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has also expressed intention to run for senator. 

Drilon earlier revealed there would be major movements in the Aquino Cabinet by October when the filing of certificates of candidacy by candidates kicks off.

“Just a reminder, if there is among you who will run, make sure that there is a transition team already or a transition plan in your office. It’s that season already, we also have APEC and Christmas,” Recto said. With Jennifer Rendon and Christina Mendez