Poe-Escudero Tandem on the Road; Roxas Left Behind; Will Duterte Run?

President Benigno Aquino III has not decided yet on who is he going to endorse on the coming 2016 national elections, but rumors about being Poe-Escudero as strong tandem is already circulating.

Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero are appearing together at the T’nalak Festival on Saturday in Koronadal, South Cotabato, fueling speculations that the two are definitely running as a team in 2016. This happened after the meeting with the president about election matters a couple of days ago.

The six-hourlong meeting on Wednesday did not result to a solid endorsement by the president, but rumors arise after the two spotted together. This is the first time the two best friends combined forces in an outside activity, let alone at the far South in Cotabato.

The meeting included Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, the presumptive standard-bearer of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), and Budget Secretary Butch Abad, an LP official.

It was South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, a Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) member, who invited Poe and Escudero to the festival.

If there is an indication that the Poe-Escudero team-up is a “go” in 2016, it is their appearance at the Koronadal festival. This is the first time the two will be seen in what could be considered an unofficial campaign sortie.

“They are testing the waters,” said House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., the LP vice chair.

Several sources said that President Aquino thinks that the tandem of Poe and Escudero will be a solid contender against Vice President’s Binay camp, who until now could not find a running mate.

Although there is no formal announcement yet, it looks like Mar Roxas is going to left behind.

Some political analysts speculated that if Roxas run, he could be beaten by Binay in a decisive victory.

“President Aquino’s heart is for Mar but his brain and every bone in his body are for Grace,” said another source close to the President.

The source explained that the President is a firm believer in “the numbers,” referring to voter preference surveys.

Poe is leading in the surveys while Roxas continues to be a far fourth.

Among other presidential aspirants, VB Binay is consistent on his move to run for president. Poe, Binay, Duterte, and Roxas are all possible candidates for the coming 2016 election.

“Although Mayor Duterte reiterated that he will not run for any national office position, there is a possibility of change of heart especially if he feels that the opposing candidates are weak,” another source said.

/Inquirer.net/Carla Gamboa

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