ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Does Senator Alan Peter Cayetano fit administration standard- bearer Manuel Roxas II’s criteria for a running mate? 

Roxas met with the senator at least once before Cayetano sat down with President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday, September 23, in Malacañang.

“Magkakilala naman kami ni Sen Alan. He was my deputy majority leader noong majority leader ako sa House of Representatives. Magkasama kami sa senado. In fact, siguro, halos walo sa sampu na ipinaglaban ni pangulong PNoy – anti-GMA, anti-corruption, etc – kasama naman po si Senator Alan,” Roxas told reporters on Thursday, September 24, on the sidelines of a “Maritime Week” event in the city. (Senator Alan and I are familiar with each other. He was my deputy majority leader when I was majority leader in the House of Representatives. We worked together in the Senate. In fact, maybe in 8 out of 10 things that President Aquino stood for – against former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, anti-corruption, etc – Senator Alan was our ally) 

The President and Roxas have also asked to Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo to run with the former interior secretary, but the neophyte lawmaker has yet to make a final decision. Aquino himself met with Robredo and her two daughters Tuesday evening, September 22. 

A source close to Robredo told Rappler that she asked until September 30 to make up her mind.

On Wednesday, September 23, Aquino met with Cayetano for over 2 hours in Malacañang.

Roxas said he wasn’t privy to what was discussed in the meeting but said that “obviously the President’s view is very important in this decision.” (READ: Who will be Mar’s VP? Poe, Cayetano, Robredo)

Cayetano is a member of the Nacionalista Party (NP), which is part of the broad ruling coalition led by the LP. Although he’s an ally, Cayetano has taken a stand contrary to that of the ruling party on some issues, notably the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, the product of a peace deal forged between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Aquino administration. 

Roxas declined to say whether this would be a deal breaker in considering Cayetano for the vice-presidential slot.

Sources earlier told Rappler that Aquino himself was against Cayetano as Roxas’ running mate because of his stand on the BBL and because of his actions during the 2010 presidential campaign. Cayetano is believed to be among those who orchestrated the release of a “psychological report” which painted Aquino, then a presidential aspirant, as having mental issues. 

The NP’s Manuel Villar was then running against Aquino for the presidency. 

Roxas has said that his main criteria for a running mate is something who is “to the bones” a believer in “Daang Matuwid,” the current administration’s catch phrase for its anti-corruption, transparency, and good governance platform. 

But when asked if Cayetano fit the bill, Roxas dodged the question. “Ang isinusulong natin hindi naman sa pang-personal na kahit sino pero tungkol ito sa mga pangarap ng ating mga kababayan. Napakahalaga na ang isinusulong natin na ticket, pati na sa senatorial ay talagang naniniwala at itataguyod ang Daang Matuwid,” he said. (We’re not pushing personalities because this is about the dreams of our fellowmen. So it’s important that the ticket we push for, including the senatorial slate, is one that truly believes in and wants to continue Daang Matuwid.) 

The LP is set to formally announce its senatorial slate – and possibly its candidate for vice president – next week. – Rappler.com