Liberal Party chairman emeritus and former Senate President Jovito Salonga is pushing for a Mar Roxas – Noynoy Aquino tandem in 2010. Mar Roxas would be the Presidential candidate while Noynoy Aquino would be his running mate as Vice-President. That’s a strong endorsement since he’s one of the father figures of the Liberal Party. This makes you wonder where this endorsement leaves Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan who already declared his intentions to run for VP.

Is Kiko Independent or LP?
I’m currently coordinating with one of the staff members of Senator Pangilinan to see if we can have a blogger coffee session. One of the questions I want to ask him is if he’s still a card-bearing member of the Liberal Party. Based from my observations and his press statements, he’s always saying that he’s an independent. However, my sources tell me that he has yet to resign from the Liberal Party.

A Hesitant but Humble Noynoy
It’s good to see that Senator Noynoy Aquino isn’t taking advantage of all the media blitz. In fact, he’s keeping quite silent and humble amidst all the talk going on that he should run not just for VP, but for President. It’s that trait that makes him admirable. I remember Senator Chiz Escudero saying that for him, he would love to have Noynoy Aquino as the President because his heart is in the right place.

By the way, I used to be neighbors with one of Senator Noynoy’s ex-girlfriends. I remember bumping into him on several occasions in our building elevator. He rarely had bodyguards and he would always bring a bouquet of roses.

Here’s the article from GMANEWS.TV:

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.

Will it be Mar-Noynoy or Noynoy-Mar for 2010? Noynoy is still discerning.
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

Here’s a video of Senator Noynoy Aquino that you might be interested in watching:

Related posts:

1. Roxas supports Noynoy Aquino’s Presidential bid in 2010
2. Congratulations to President Noynoy Aquino!
3. “Cory is campaigning for us.” – Frank Drilon