MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang insisted on Monday, April 14, that Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II was not on “early campaign mode” when he conducted a tour of Yolanda hit-areas last week. 

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte was responding to criticism spurred by a statement made by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, an LP member, who had addressed Roxas – the expected 2016 Liberal Party standard bearer – as “President Mar Roxas” in a public event in Roxas City, Capiz.

Valte maintained that the Aquino administration was not on election mode, and that the incident was highlighted by some groups because of the two officials’ affiliation with the administration party.

Valte  said Abaya was referring to Roxas’ position in the LP when he called him “president,” and that more attention was given to the innocent remark because Abaya and Roxas are LP members.

She added: “They were really just kidding around….I don’t think any offense was meant by that nor was it meant to signal anything. People will see things as they wish, but we are quite sure that (campaigning) was not the intention of the secretaries who were there.”

Valte added that Cabinet officials conduct similar activities “on a very regular basis.”

“My information was that particular event was received well by those who were there. However, there will be some who will also not receive it well….We’re not on election mode – to put it quite frankly,” she said.

 On Thursday and Friday, Roxas went around Leyte towns and cities affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) but eyebrows were raised when LP acting president Abaya referred to Roxas as “president” at a public event. Abaya immediately told the crowd that he meant the “president of our party.”

Roxas, who was preparing to run for president in 2010 before stepping aside for President Benigno Aquino III, lost the vice-presidential race to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Roxas is widely believed to be the LP’s presidential bet in 2016. Binay has also declared his intentions to run. – Rappler.com