MANILA – With the Liberal Party (LP) still not announcing their standard bearers in next year’s elections, speculations arose that Interior Secretary Mar Roxas will be their presidential bid and Senate President Franklin Drilon will be his running mate.
To this, Drilon just dismissed the possibility of seeking higher office in the coming national elections, believing that he could ‘help the people and influence policy without being vice president.’
“I have my head attached. I have my feet to the ground. I know how this thing works. I have been in public service for 30 years,” he said.
Drilon also noted that it was too early for LP to disclose political plans for the coming national elections.
“There are no such plans. We are still awaiting word from the President and his blessing, probably after the SONA,” he said, pertaining to Philippine President and LP chairman Benigno Aquino III’s endorsement after his last State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Drilon, however, stated that LP did have possible candidates in mind for next year’s elections.
As of now, only Vice President Jejomar Binay had publicly declared his interest in joining the coming presidential race. A Binay-Drilon tandem had also been seen possible.
“It’s a possibility that we cannot discount… Tito Frank was with my father in fighting against Pres. Ferdinand Marcos during the Martial Law. And even though they are of different political parties, their relationship on a personal level remains the same,” Vice President Binay’s son Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay said.
“There has been no assurance that he will be the running mate of my father. Who knows?,” he added, considering the cordial relationship his father shared with the senator.
Mayor Binay noted that in politics, there were endless possibilities.
Other possible candidates, however, have shied away from matters of elections but have began public relations campaigns, including radio and television infomercials.
Among the other possible presidential candidates, Drilon was impressed with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign strategy which boosted his ratings.
“Among the smartest is Duterte, he keeps on denying, but the denying of Digong is the subject of the news. And therefore, the more he denies, the more that people become aware that he could be a candidate,” he said.
Should Drilon run again as senator in the coming elections, he will be a reelectionist joining Senators Teofisto Guingona III, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Sergio Osmeña III, Ralph Recto and Vicente Sotto III.