Pres. Aquino ‘Closer’ to Naming His Anointed One in 2016 Polls

(PNA) – After meeting with three possible candidates for two highest positions in 2016 elections, President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday said he is closer to naming his anointed one in the presidential race.

”I think the best that I can say at this point, in this minute, is a am closer to that point,” President Aquino said during a media interview after the turnover of command rites of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the Camp Crame.

The President met with Senators Grace Poe, Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas for six hours starting at 7 p.m. last Wednesday at the Bahay Pangarap in Malacanang.

Poe, the No. 1 senator in the mid-term 2013 midterm elections under the administration Team PNoy ticket, said they agreed that the progress of our country will depend on the right leadership.

”That’s why we agreed that it is important to consider the voice and guide of our people to make sure that running of our government will be not go to waste but will enhance further,” Poe said.

Escudero, who supported President Aquino in the 2010 presidential election, said the meeting was ‘cordial and relaxed.’

”We talked about a lot of things other than 2016,” Escudero said.

In choosing his anointed one in 2016, President Aquino said he has to also consult other stakeholders including the non-government organizations and civil society groups.

”All the parties and people present last night agreed that there is a big improvement of our country in the past five years and it is natural that we should continue this kind of transformation,” President Aquino said.

President Aquino said the success of leadership can be measured by the ability of the leader to name his successor.

”And I am very glad that there is such a big pool of people who will continue the struggle to really get our people to where they should be,” he said.

The President said he is hoping that he will be able to announce his endorsement after his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.

President Aquino said he will continue to hold meeting with concerned groups including the hierarchy of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) whom he will meet on Thursday.

”I keep on talking to and I will continue to talk to various other groups and other personalities, not just for ‘yung the top positions but also the senatorial slate. And at some point in time even the local slates,” the President said.

”We want to gather more friends and allies who will help us in keeping the tuwid na daan,” he added. (PNA) RMA/JFM