Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas will relinquish his post as the DILG chief in June to prepare for his presidential bid, reliable sources said yesterday.
President Aquino will officially declare Roxas as the Liberal Party’s (LP’s) standard bearer in the 2016 presidential polls, they said.
The sources also said that President Aquino whose approval and satisfication ratings have dropped is expected to conduct a “behind the scenes” campaign for Roxas.
Liberal Party stalwart Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali texted his comment on the report: “I think the LP will officially endorse him as our party standard bearer, most specially with PNoy’s blessing.”
Iloilo Rep. Jerry Trenas said: “Secretary Mar is the presumptive bet of the Liberal Party. I would think the President will endorse his presidential bid before the SONA (State of the Nation Address),” he said.
The Manila Bulletin texted Roxas to confirm his planned resignation in June. As of yesterday, there was no response yet from the DILG secretary.
Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., of the National Unity Party (NUP), which is allied with the ruling Liberal Party, cited Roxas’ untainted public record.
Manila Bulletin
