(Eagle News) — President Benigno S. Aquino III said he is close to announcing who he would endorse in next year’s presidential elections, after a six-hour meeting with possible presidential candidates at the Palace Wednesday night.
The President is expected to announce his presidential bet after his state-of-the nation address (SONA) on July 27.
Aquino on Thursday said he is pleased that there are a number of qualified people who could succeed him as chief executive when he steps down from office next year.
He had a six-hour meeting with Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II on Wednesday night.
In an interview that followed the ceremony to install Police Director General Ricardo Marquez as new chief of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame, the President said he is close to announcing who he would endorse in the 2016 presidential election.
And like the rest of the public, he said he too is excited about it, especially upon knowing that there are a lot of leaders who will continue his administration’s reform programs.
“Siyempre ‘yung batayan natin kung maayos ‘yung ating naging palakad, ‘yung success raw.., kino-quote ko sa English: ‘Success can be measured by your ability to train your successor or to name your successor or to choose your successor,'” the President told reporters.
“And I am very glad that there is such a big pool of people who will continue the struggle to really get our people to where they should be.”
On the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting, the President said they all agreed that the country has improved a lot in the past five years and that there is a need to continue the reforms under the present government.
The main goal is to ensure the continuance of the country’s transformation so that more people would benefit from a more progressive Philippines, he said.
The Chief Executive noted that he will continue to meet with different people and organizations in the coming days to know their pulse.
“Today, I’m talking with the LP party hierarchy, amongst others. I keep on talking to and I will continue to talk to various other groups and other personalities, not just for the top positions but also the senatorial slate and at some point in time, even the local slates,” he said.
“Ang gusto natin talagang maparami ay ang mga kaagapay o mga kasamahan na tutulong dito sa pagpapanatili ng tuwid na daan.”
Based on recent surveys, Grace Poe is the front runner among the possible presidential candidates. Chiz Escudero tops the possible contenders for Vice President. (based on a PND report)