P-Noy says he will go with consensus on LP presidential bet

President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit Session 1 at the Convention Hall 205 of the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) on Friday (December 12, 2014). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Aquino says he will not force his will upon members of the Liberal Party with regards to their choice of candidate for the 2016 presidential elections.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Republic of Korea-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) commemorative summit last Friday, Aquino stressed that the pick of the administrative coalition would be determined by the general consensus of its political proponents.

“I am the very first person who does not dictate. I will go for the consensus of our allies. At the end of the day, they are the ones who will campaign in the grassroots. In fact, I am about to retire while they remain in the system and they have more at stake, in a sense, than I have,” Aquino said.

He added that his opinion “should be even less of value,” compared with the will of the majority.

“It should not be I but we, because we are a coalition,” he pointed out..

This is in contrast with what was earlier said by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

, who opined that Aquino would have a 99.99-percent say in the matter.

Meanwhile, it is presume that Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II will be the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party.