LP open to calls to make Noynoy its standard bearer

The political party supposedly grooming Sen. Manuel Roxas II to become its standard bearer is open to proposals to make Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III as its presidential candidate in the 2010 polls. "Bukas ang Liberal Party na sabayan yung mga ganong panawagan (The Liberal Party is open to such calls) and we have not yet decided on our ticket," Liberal Party (LP) director general Jose Luis Martin "Chito" Gascon said in a report by GMA News’ Trisha Zafra Monday morning. "Certainly there is a lot of support within the part for Mar Roxas for president, there is also a lot of support for Noynoy Aquino for whatever political plans he might have," he added. Roxas is the president of LP, while Aquino is the executive vice president of the party. Gascon made his statement after several streamers calling for Aquino to seek the highest office in land were seen in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s home province of Pampanga. National broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer earlier reported that Pampanga Rep. Carmelo Lazatin and Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales headed the campaign for Noynoy. Lazatin and Morales are both administration allies under the Lakas-NUCD party. Renato Reyes, secretary general of the left-leaning Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said that it might be the administration’s “ploy to divide the ranks of LP." Roxas and Aquino are staunch critics of Mrs. Arroyo. As early as January 2009, LP chairman Franklin Drilon said Roxas would be the party's standard bearer. Drilon also rejected calls for the LP to coalesce with any political party if Roxas would not be the standard bearer. Lazatin said the calls for Noynoy to seek the presidency were initiated not by politicians, but by non-government organizations looking for candidates with integrity. "Eh siguro dahil sa gusto nila magkaroon ng isang kandidato na walang (balikat) na kasalanan sa bayan, walang mantsa (It's maybe because they want a candidate who has not sinned to the country, whose reputation is untarnished)," Lazatin said in the GMA report.
The calls came days after Mrs Aquino's burial. But Sen. Aquino says he has no plans to seek any higher post yet. “I do not relish aspiring for a higher office at this point in time. The focus should be on performing my functions and my duties and responsibilities in this present mode and I have to highlight that given the current administration we are not in normal situation," said Noynoy. Meanwhile, Roxas, said LP had not yet talked about the matter. "Hindi pa naman napapag-usapan yan…palagay ko sa mga darating na araw o linggo mapapag-usapan din 'yan (That has not yet been discussed…I think it will be discussed in the coming days or weeks)," he said. Political analyst Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, claims that Aquino is a strong contender for the presidential race. "Eh contender na talaga si Noynoy…kaya ang mas malaking usapin dito ano ba yung kikilalanin ng lahat na criteria para sa pagpili ng isa lang kasi hindi naman pwedeng dalawa tumakbo sa LP." (Noynoy is already a contender…the bigger issue here is what criteria will they use in choosing a candidate, LP can’t have two standard bearers)," said Casiple. - with reports from Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV