SENATOR Grace Poe said Friday she intends to seek the guidance of President Benigno Aquino III in whatever role she may find herself in for the good of the country.
In a text message to reporters, Poe said no one can deny the reforms in governance and economic gains under the Aquino administration.
“I believe in his vision for our country even before I was elected into office. He has preserved with his vision even through many challenges,” said Poe, who is being wooed by the President to run in 2016 under the Liberal Party banner.
Poe-Llamanzares at the start of her term in 2013. She is now
among the most favored candidates for the 2016 presidential
elections. Ey Acasio
Aquino, also LP chairman, had even told Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, the presumptive LP presidential candidate in 2016, to do something to improve his approval ratings in the opinion polls.
Aquino met Poe before he left for a four-day visit to the United States and Canada.
While Aquino, did not directly tell Poe that the LP wanted her to be either its standard bearer or vice presidential candidate in next year’s election, the senator said the President told her the LP needs an alternative candidate.
She added that Aquino also made it clear to her the alternative candidate need not be an LP member, but someone who has the chance of winning the elections and who can carry out the current reforms of the present administration and its fight against corruption.
On Thursday, the President said he believes Poe would be among those who can continue the reforms that he said his administration has started.
Sought for her reaction on the Aquino’s remark, Poe said: “I am grateful that the President counts me as one of the ones who can continue what he started.”
The President last week confirmed his meeting with Poe, saying they talked about the 2016 elections.
Senator Francis Esecudro on Friday said most of those who aspire for higher position in 2016 are not prepared to do it right now because they lack the resources.
Escudero has been tagged as another possible candidate for higher office in 2016, but he brushed off as mere speculation that he would run beside Poe or Roxas.
“In my case, it is clear that I have no resources in connection with running in 2016 elections so I have to study carefully,” Escudero said.
Escudero said nobody has approached him to run for president.
Poe on Friday said the President was non-commital when he asked him point blank if he would support her run for the presidency even if she were not a Liberal Party member.
“I clearly asked him: Mr. President, if I am considered… will you support me even though I am not a Liberal?” Poe said, recalling her conversation with Aquino before he flew to the United States and Canada earlier this month.
“And he said he wants to have a consultation with his group even if I am not exactly a Liberal because I also have principles like the reforms he is pushing,” she said.
“But of course, the President has to consult his party for the approval. But he said, he would like to make that commitment,” she said.
Poe said she wanted to be sure of herself before deciding what to do in 2016.
“It is also most important that you have truly made a decision, not only because you think you can win but because you can really help people because our biggest problem is poverty,” Poe said.
The senator said she also needs to consult her mother, veteran actress Susan Roces.