MANILA, Philippines – If you ask Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, the presumed Liberal Party standard bearer in 2016, the ruling party is focused on “good work” and not the looming national polls.

Roxas made the statement at the sidelines of an infrastructure briefing in Mindoro attended by President Benigno Aquino III on Friday, August 29, when asked how the LP is preparing for the 2016 elections.

“Alam ‘nyo ang partidong LP naniniwala that good service, good governance is good politics. Hindi kami namumulitika; wala kaming ginagawa for politics’ sake. Ang ginagawa namin, nakatutok kami sa mga trabaho namin; at ang taumbayan na ang siyang titimbang kung tama ba ‘yung ginagawa,” he said.

(You know, the LP believes that good service, good governance is good politics. We don’t do politicking; we don’t do anything just for politics’ sake. What we are doing is we are focused on our job and it’s up to the people to decide if what we’re doing is right.)

Roxas’ suggestion that the LP is not thinking of the 2016 polls at this time, however, is not entirely accurate. Talking to Rappler, Transportation Secretary and LP member Joseph Emilio Abaya echoed Roxas, saying the party is concentrated on solving today’s problems, but admitted that the party is “starting” to meet about the elections.

Roxas also refused to answer whether he is ready to be the party’s presidential bet, although he said “it’s very clear what the President said, that [stepping down] is what he sees for himself [in 2016].” 

Roxas was referring to Aquino’s statements in a radio interview on Thursday, where the president said he envisions himself having a good meal with friends the day after he leaves office – hinting he will not seek a second term, despite a previous admission that he is open to an extended term if the people will it.

The Constitution currently prohibits a president from seeking re-election after one 6-year term.

Roxas continues to lag behind in surveys. Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay, a member of the opposition, is enjoying sky-high approval ratings and is the leader in surveys on possible presidential candidates.

Listening to bosses

Roxas also repeated Aquino’s statements, saying the administration continues to listen to the bosses – the Filipino people – regarding various issues including whether or not they want Aquino to stay as president.

Asked whether the administration “listens” to rallies and personalities like former senator Kit Tatad and former Chief Justice Renato Corona calling for the impeachment of Aquino however, Roxas dismissed the calls as coming from the perpetually negative opposition.

“Well, oposisyon naman itong mga taong ito. Wala naman silang nasabing positive na kahit ano na ginawa ang ating Pangulo. Pero ganoon pa man, ay boss pa rin sila; kasama pa rin sila sa kabuuang boss na mga mamamayang Pilipino so nandiyan din ‘yan, kabahagi din ‘yan,” he said. 

(Well those people are the opposition. They have nothing positive to say about the President despite his accomplishments. Even so, they are also our boss, they are part of the Filipino people we consider as bosses, so we consider it too.)

“Pero ako’y naniniwala at nakita naman  kayo mismo, mga media, nakikita naman ninyo na ang higit na nakararami na ating mga boss ay maganda ang pagtingin sa trabaho ni Pangulong Noynoy.” 

(But I believe, and we see it too – you, the media, you yourself can see that majority of our bosses view President Noynoy’s work positively.) – Rappler.com