(CNN Philippines) — Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II still tops the Liberal Party list as standard bearer, President Benigno Aquino III, party chairman, said on Monday (May 25).
Aquino admitted, however, that he was surprised that certain publications don’t seem to consider Roxas as the Liberal Party presidential bet.
The president made the statement on the sidelines of his visit to the Marikina Elementary School, where he thanked volunteers who made the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela possible.
In an ambush interview at the event, he pointed out that Roxas has always been a valuable member of his Cabinet.
He added he would announce his “chosen one” in July, after his last State of the Nation Address.
There would have to be a lot of consultations before the party could come up with a consensus, he explained.
Asked what he thought about the tag that Vice President Jejomar Binay is the “man to beat” in 2016, he said Binay had always been a staunch party leader even when they were together in the opposition.
“He has demonstrated, di ba, even the ability to sacrifice,” Aquino added. “Previously, for instance, when he gave way to me. So all of these traits should point out that he is… as far as our coalition is concerned, he is at the top of the list.”
Aquino said, however, that Binay should answer all the allegations against him.
