Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV yesterday denied the Liberal Party (LP) is divided due to the possible entry of Sen. Grace Poe Llamanzares as the party’s standard-bearer in the May, 2016, elections, with party members split between her and Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“Hindi naman (Not really). We’re part of a democracy. Siyempre po, may gusto tayo at ayaw  (Of course, we have some people we like, some we don’t),” Aquino told reporters in an interview. “Ganoon din po ang Liberal Party  (It’s the same with the Liberal Party),” he said.

“May proseso pong pinagdadaanan. Palagay ko naman kapag tapos na ang prosesong iyan ay muling magsasama-sama ang partidong kinalalagyan ko. (We go through the process. I think after we finish that process, the party will come together again),” he said.

Drilon had earlier said he hopes Roxas declares his intention to join the presidential race amid speculations of a possible tandem with Poe.

“Let me say we have an official process in the party but I would take the position that Mar Roxas should now declare his intention,” Drilon said. “If he is indeed interested — and I think he is – he should declare now his intention that he would want to present himself as a candidate for the presidency in 2016.”

Drilon said he believes Roxas is the person who can continue the reforms and programs initiated by the Aquino administration.

Senator Aquino said the party cannot afford to choose the next leader on the basis alone of personality. “Dapat tanungin natin, ano ba talaga ang plano nila. Sino ba ang may kakayahan na dalhin tayo sa kinabukasan? (We should ask them what are their plans? Who has the capability to bring about a future for our country),” he said.

“Five years from now, dapat ang Pilipinas yumayaman na. Dapat ang mga kababayan natin di na kailangang mangibang bansa para makakuha ng magtrabaho. Dapat iyong mahihirap mayroon  ng pagkain, trabaho, at may negosyo na (The Philippines should already be rich, our countrymen should no longer be going abroad just to find work. The poor should have food, jobs and their own businesses),” he said.

The question is who will help the country achieve that? I think those who aspire to run for office should be able to answer those questions, Senator  Aquino said.

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