Palace: Roxas is President Aquino’s Only Choice to Continue ‘Daang Matuwid’

President Benigno S. Aquino III is not torn between Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II and Senator Grace Poe, as he has always made it clear to the public whom he has chosen to continue his ‘Daang Matuwid’, a Malacañang official said Friday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte was clarifying whatever interpretation some political pundits might have over President Aquino’s recent statement regarding Poe’s presidential bid.

“The President has a very clear answer to that. He only has one (choice). Isa lang po ang inendorso ng Pangulong Aquino (at) alam naman po natin kung sino ito,” Undersecretary Valte said, referring to Sec. Manuel Roxas II, whom the President formally endorsed to be his successor last July 31 at the Club Filipino.

In a press conference held Thursday, President Aquino said he has nothing against Poe joining the presidential race, and even thanked her for promising him that she would not engage in any mudslinging against the administration when the campaign period starts.

“Talagang ikinatutuwa ko naman na, in a sense, parang nagpaalam (si Senator Poe at) nagpaliwanag ng kanyang mga intensyon… Sabi niya ‘darating tayo sa kampanya na kung saan makakarating sa kampo mo na inaatake kita at never kong gagawin ‘yon,’” President Aquino said, describing to reporters how his conversation with Poe went the night before she announced her candidacy.

While he felt grateful for the courtesy extended him by the senator, President Aquino said he would not mind being criticized by their opponents, so long as their criticisms were backed by solid facts.

Some observers reportedly read this as a veiled nod to Poe’s candidacy by the President, which Malacañang denied, saying the references he has made pertaining to criticisms were “not unique” to the senator.

“That is not the first time the President has said that in reference to criticisms. I can point out no less than five instances that the President has said na, ‘Okay lang po sa amin ang batikos…’ It is not unique to Senator Grace Poe na sinabi ito ng Pangulo,” Valte said.

Poe was initially President Aquino’s choice to be the running mate of Roxas, but she decided to push for the presidency instead, alongside Senator Francis Escudero as her vice president.

Both President Aquino and Roxas accepted Poe’s decision, with the latter even wishing her the best of luck, as they vie for the people’s votes under similar goals but separate roads. PND (hdc)