MANILA, Philippines – Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said on Friday, August 8, that the Liberal Party is in “such good standing” that he cannot blame would-be 2016 candidates for “loose talk” about the LP and potential coalitions.  

The presumptive Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer in 2016 made the statement in a media interview on Friday, August 8, at the sidelines of the 113th Philippine National Police Service Anniversary in Camp Crame.

He was specifically asked about the recent pronouncement of Vice  President Jejomar Binay who had claimed that, according to credible sources, the LP was thinking of either adopting him as its standard bearer in 2016, or teaming up with his United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Roxas dismissed this as “rumors,” echoing the earlier statement of another LP stalwart, Senate President Franklin Drilon. (READ: Drilon: ‘Spin masters’ behind LP adoption of Binay)

Asked how and where the rumors started, Roxas replied, “Siguro, tanungin ninyo kung sino nag-leak ng rumors na iyan (It’s best that you ask whoever leaked those rumors).”

He added, “Siguro napakaganda ng tayo ng Liberal Party at talagang maraming gustong sumama at maki-alyado (The Liberal Party must be in such good standing since a lot of politicians want to join and be our allies).” 

Roxas played coy when pressed on Binay’s claim, and referred to the LP’s set “criteria” for would-be partnerships and coalitions come 2016 which apparently disqualifies Binay. 

“Ang lahat ng aming mga gawain [sa LP] ay nakatungtong sa matibay na pundasyon ng prinsipyo ng shared values at ng good anti-corruption governance,” said Roxas. “So iyan ang patakaran na sinusunod natin sa lahat ng gawain.”

(Everything we do in the Liberal Party is grounded on the foundation and principle of shared values and good anti-corruption governance. So that’s how we make all our decisions.)

Mar good, competent official with some ‘bad luck’

While Roxas continues to trail Binay – as well as other potential presidential candidates – in independent surveys on possible aspirants, he is expected to be the LP standard bearer in 2016. (READ: Why there’s no giving up on Mar Roxas)

The results of a Pulse Asia survey conducted from June 24 to July 2 show Roxas  fourth behind Binay, Senator Grace Poe, and former president and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. Roxas was tied with Senators Francis Escudero and Miriam Defensor Santiago. 

Roxas had been weighed down by criticisms on how he performed his duties following the devastation of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), highlighted by his tiff with Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez, and then other instances such as his suspension from the Wack Wack Golf Club over an “outburst” at the exclusive club.

Rehabilitation Secretary Panfilo Lacson, however, believes that the “well-meaning” Roxas is just hounded by “bad timing” and a bad stroke of luck.

Lacson said in an interview on ANC on Friday that he can “only sympathize” with Roxas whom he had worked with in the Senate.

“He is a well-meaning person. It’s just that maybe sometimes, he has bad timing, or wrong messaging. But nobody, I think, can question first, his integrity; and second, his capability and competence. Nobody has questioned that. The problem is, sometimes when you get struck my bad luck, when it rains it pours. It’s one after the other,” Lacson said.

He added: “He has bad luck. For all his good intentions, parang nalulubak nang nalulubak (he seems to trip over and over). And I can only sympathize with him. – Rappler.com