LUCENA CITY: Administration party standard bearer Manuel Roxas 2nd on Friday revealed he will be meeting Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to discuss the possibility of them teaming up in next year’s elections.
“Mag-uusap kami kung gusto niyang magpa-konsidera (We’ll talk and see if he wants to considered),” Roxas told a local television public affairs program.
Roxas was in this city on his last day as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. Later in the day, he handed over the reins of the DILG to Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento.
Duterte in a news conference last week announced that he is definitely not running for president and is retiring from politics in 2016. In an interview with TV5 on Thursday he discounted the possibility of even considering a vice presidential run, saying he doesn’t like the idea of having somebody above him.
In his interview with Arnel Avila, program anchor of “Pag-usapan Natin” aired over TV12, Roxas said the Liberal Party is also seriously considering Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos as a vice presidential candidate.
Both Robredo, widow of the Interior Secretary and good governance icon Jesse Robredo and Santos, a popular actress, had previously dismissed speculations that they’re eyeing the vice presidency.
“Of course, we will choose the leader who is principled enough and who is aligned with our campaign about honest, dedicated and focused on continuing the Tuwid na Daan advocacy,” Roxas said.
President Benigno Aquino 3rd and Roxas previously dogged pre-election survey frontrunner Sen. Grace Poe to be the administration’s candidate for vice president.
Last week, LP leaders, including party vice chairman Senate President Franklin Drilon, said it’s time for the administration party to look for other possibilities as Poe is reportedly determined to pursue the presidency.