Mar Roxas eyes Grace Poe as LP senatorial bet

Manila, Philippines – Liberal Party (LP) president Manuel “Mar” Roxas II is eyeing Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairman Grace Poe Llamanzares as the party’s potential senatorial candidate in 2013.

“Si Grace, nakikita natin bilang isang maaring lumahok. Taglay niya katangian sa public service (I see Grace as a potential candidate. She has the qualities needed in public service),” Roxas said.

“Pero di pa siya nagsasabi kaya nilambing ko si Grace kanina na magsabi siya para mapasama sya sa mga pangalan na makonsidera ng Pangulo (She has not expressed interest. I told Grace earlier to tell us if she’s interested so the President can consider her),” Roxas added.

Llamanzares is the daughter of the late Fernando Poe Jr., an actor, former presidential candidate, and close friend of former President Joseph Estrada. 

Roxas said LP has more than 12 names in its shortlist of possible senatorial candidates. “We accept it as affirmation,” he said.

Roxas said the names in LP’s shortlist are former Akbayan party list representatives Risa Hontiveros, Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon, Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, and TESDA chair Joel Villanueva.

These are the same names that President Aquino has named in the past.

LP secretary-general Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya earlier told Rappler that “key party leaders” discussed for the first time on June 14 their senatorial slate. He said they listed “15 to 20” names including re-electionists. – Rappler.com