LP defers announcement of VP candidate, Senate slate

MANILA, Philippines - The Liberal Party (LP) has postponed the announcement of its vice presidential candidate and senatorial slate to hold more talks with coalition partners and to finalize its line-up.

The party was supposed to reveal its line-up on Wednesday during a meeting at its Balay headquarters in Quezon City but the event was moved to Monday.

LP stalwart and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, however, said the scheduled meeting would push through so they can discuss the line-up and other election-related matters. Only the announcement of candidates was deferred to next week.

“It will be a working convention. We hope to resolve all issues by tomorrow (September 30). Maybe by next week, we will be ready to present the slate. Most of the members of the coalition want to present a complete slate,” Abad told reporters on the sidelines of the Liga ng mga Barangay convention in Pasay.

“This is not just a coalition of convenience. The battle cry of the coalition is continue the straight path. You want to make sure you are consistent with your message,” he added.

When asked if an announcement would be made during the meeting, Abad said: “We don’t know if the negotiations will be completed.”

“The first order of the day is to sort out within the party who are running and after that we look to our partners,” the budget chief added.

LP presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II said today’s (Sept. 30) meeting would be held to comply with the Commission on Elections directive which states that political parties can only hold conventions until Sept. 30.

“We are after formality and legality and the result of the meeting will be known on Monday,” Roxas said in Filipino.

“Comelec has requirements and we need to comply with them as a formal political party,” he added.

Roxas clarified that the postponement does not mean that the administration coalition is having difficulties coming up with a line-up.

When asked if he is confident that the coalition can complete its line-up by Monday, Roxas said: “Yes and may I note, yes with a smile.”

LP not giving up on Leni

Meanwhile, the LP is not giving up on Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, who previously said that she is not inclined to run for vice president.

“Well, as you all know, sentimentally the Liberal Party and those allied with it would like to see Congresswoman Leni Robredo to be the tandem of presidential candidate Mar Roxas,” Abad said. 

“She has repeatedly said that the family is going through a process and we respect that because I think at the end of the day family is important. If family is united behind her decision, there is no problem that needs to be sorted out along the way,” he added.

When asked if the LP has another option in the event that Robredo refuses to be Roxas’ running mate, Abad said: “You know as far as leadership is concerned, we all hope she would be able to resolve whatever it is that is creating reservation among her daughters.”

Robredo earlier said that her daughters do not want her to seek higher office.

Abad said they no longer have any discussions with Robredo and that the party is just waiting for her decision.

“Well, in the past there were discussions but in deference to the process that is going on within her family, I don’t think we can entertain further discussions,” he said.

“I cannot imagine the kind of pressure she is going through especially she is a mother and has a children who has reservations about her entering into politics much more running for the second most important position in the country.”

Yellow slipper

Roxas was wearing a yellow slipper pin when he attended the convention of the Liga ng mga Barangay, which was attended by nearly 3,000 people.

The slipper became a symbol of Robredo’s husband, the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who was known for his simple lifestyle.

Roxas, however, clarified that the pin was just given to him by a Liga ng mga Barangay member from Naga.

“We exchanged pins. I gave the delegate a yellow ribbon that I usually wear and the delegate gave me this slipper that symbolizes the good governance and leadership of Sec. Jesse. I’m happy to wear it,” he said.

Robredo was also invited to the convention but failed to show up because she was not feeling well.