MANILA, Philippines – There’s no giving up on convincing Senator Grace Poe to be administration standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II’s running mate come 2016.

In a chance interview with reporters Saturday, August 1, after a mass to commemorate the death anniversary of former president Cory Aquino’s, Roxas confirmed that Poe is still in his “shortlist” of possible running mates.

“The short answer is yes,” Roxas said.

Roxas officially announced his bid for the presidency on Friday, July 31, after President Benigno Aquino II, Cory Aquino’s only son, endorsed Roxas as his successor. The announcement came after months of meetings and consultations between the President and key political personalities, including Poe.

Although he has long been the presumptive standard-bearer of the ruling Liberal Party, Roxas’ survey numbers have been discouraging.

In contrast, Poe surged in the latest presidential preference polls by Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations, prompting some members of the broad LP-led coalition to push for Poe as the party’s standard-bearer.

Poe earlier said no concrete offer was made in over 4 meetings with the President but that she “felt” Aquino wanted her to be Roxas’ running mate. The neophyte senator, in interviews with media, seemed to hint at her unwillingness to be Roxas’ running mate. (READ: LP stalwarts still want Grace Poe as Mar’s VP)

It is believed that she is gunning for the presidency, with her close friend and ally Senator Francis Escudero as her running mate. (READ: Grace Poe, Miriam top VP choices for Mar Roxas – survey)

12 more years?

In the Saturday chance interview, Roxas confirmed what various sources from within and outside the Liberal Party have told Rappler: the bigger plan is that of 12 more years of “Daang Matuwid” with a Roxas presidency from 2016 to 2022 and a Poe administration from 2022 to 2028.

“Pero sana tanggapin po ninyo itong aking pagiging bukas kay Senadora Grace hindi yun pagpapababa sa kanyang stature. Nirerespeto ko siya. Para sa akin kabahagi ito ng mas mahaba mas malawak na plano na generational,” said Roxas.

(My being open about Senator Grace being in the shortlist for VP does in no way lower her stature. I respect her. For me, this is part of a bigger generational plan.)

Roxas added, “there’s a saying: ‘Politicians think of the next elections… statesmen think of the next generation.”

Aquino, citing data from the government, said it was possible for the Philippines to be a First World country should his administration’s reforms, part of the so-called “Daang Matuwid,” continue.

Roxas did not go into details of who else compose his shortlist for vice president but according to his allies, among those being considered are Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo. – Rappler.com