LP ‘99.9%’ sure to get Leni for VP

MANILA, Philippines – The ruling Liberal Party is expected to proclaim today Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo as its vice presidential candidate for the 2016 elections after three postponements and weeks of speculation on who will be the running mate of LP standard bearer Manuel Roxas II.

Robredo and additional names in the administration senatorial slate will be proclaimed at Club Filipino in San Juan at a “Gathering of Friends” with President Aquino and Roxas leading the event, a week before the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2016 elections.

“Leni is 99.99 percent sure. I think she could not turn down the call of the people after the sacrifice made by her husband,” LP vice president for political affairs and Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice said in a telephone interview, referring to the late interior secretary Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash in 2012.

LP stalwart and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas described Robredo as “a brilliant lawyer who fights for the rights of the poor and the marginalized.”

“Instead of pursuing greener pastures in the field of law, she decided to use her talents and intelligence to make a difference in our society,” Vargas said.

He said Robredo is worthy and capable to be vice president.

LP members received an advisory yesterday through text messages that there would be a major announcement today at the Club Filipino.

Robredo earlier said she found it hard to make a decision, as her three daughters are strongly opposed to her running for higher office.

The lawmaker had said one couldn’t be an effective leader if family is problematic.

LP sources said Robredo was also worried about her ratings and the huge cost of the electoral campaign.

The announcement that Robredo will be the administration vice presidential candidate was first set last Aug. 18 to coincide with the death anniversary of her husband.

Then the LP leadership set it on Sept. 28, and moved it to Sept. 30 when the LP held its convention at the party headquarters called “Balai” in Cubao, Quezon City.

During the convention, the party leadership gave Roxas the free hand to select the administration senatorial slate.

It was not clear yet whether Roxas would also announce today the party’s 12-member senatorial lineup owing to the “twerking” incident involving Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, who declared that he was running for the Senate under the administration.

The LP earlier proclaimed re-electionist Senators Franklin Drilon, Teofisto Guingona III, and Ralph Recto; and former senator Francisco Pangilinan as its senatorial bets, leaving eight more slots to fill.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Joel Villanueva are also expected to be in the LP’s senatorial ticket.

The two have reportedly ironed out their differences after De Lima earlier charged Villanueva in a pork barrel scam case. Villanueva has strongly denied the allegations.

LP sources said Aquino and Roxas spoke with Villanueva recently to convince him to stay with the administration.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, former energy chief Jericho Petilla, former Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros, former Pampanga governor Mark Lapid, and world boxing idol and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao are also being considered for the LP ticket.