Salonga’s choice: Mar-Noynoy for 2010

For Jovito Salonga, chairman-emeritus of the Liberal Party, it should be Mar-Noynoy for 2010. The LP stalwart and former Senate president favors the tandem for next year’s elections, with Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III becoming the vice presidential running mate of Sen. Manuel “Mar" Roxas II. “It would be good for Mar Roxas to run for the presidency, and Noynoy Aquino to run as his teammate for the position of vice president," said the 89-year-old Salonga on Thursday during a forum at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City wherein LP members commemorated the 1971 bombing at Plaza Miranda. Noynoy's father, Filipino martyr Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr and Mar's father, former senator Gerardo "Gerry" Roxas both belonged to LP. Calls for Aquino to run for president surfaced following the death of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, last August 1. But Salonga says the senator is better off seeking the vice-presidency for now as he does not appear set on pursuing the country's top post. "I don't know whether he's (Noynoy) determined to run for the presidency of the land," said Salonga, adding that aside from determination, a presidential candidate must also have a "specific plan" for the country. Earlier, Aquino expressed reluctance to run for a higher position. But lately, the senator said he was “trying to discern because there are legitimate calls" for him to seek the post. LP secretary-general and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya said during Thursday’s forum that the party wants to give Aquino "enough time" to think about his options for the upcoming elections. "We're slowly discussing it but we're not shoving it down his throat," Abaya said, adding that while the senator appears "non-committal" for now, he demonstrates a "teamwork attitude toward the party." Abaya acknowledged that another senator from the LP, Francis “Kiko" Pangilinan, has expressed his intention to seek the vice-presidency. "Hopefully by the end of the day we can all sing to the same tune and march to the same rhythm," the congressman said. - GMANews.TV