The administration party’s “Daang Matuwid” coalition headed by Liberal Party is confident that their leader, President Benigno S. Aquino III is true to his word and will support the only administration candidate, former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and he has no secret presidential candidate in the May 2016 elections.
Previous reports surfaced online that President Aquino has a secret candidate in the national elections after rumors spread that presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe is the one who could be the secret candidate of Pres. Aquino.
According to the “Daang Matuwid” coalition they are confident with Pres. Aquino’s support with Mar Roxas. They were unfazed by the alleged gathering of supporters for presidential hopeful Sen. Grace Poe arranged by veteran political strategist Rico Puno.
The coalition spokesperson also noted that Rico Puno, the former Interior Undersecretary was n longer part of the administration.
“He’s no longer a member of the administration. He has not been for a long time,” said Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrez in an interview at the LP headquarters.
“If he talks to anyone, he’s doing so in his personal capacity. Hindi ko alam kung may ibang taong kumontrata sa kanya para makapag-usap pero kung ganon man, hindi ito ang ating Pangulo.”
According to an Inquirer souce, Rico Puno had been asking members of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines in Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao to organize political rallies for Roxas’ rival.
Rico Puno, a known shooting-range buddy of Aquino, has been identified with the “Samar” group that supported Vice President Jejomar Binay as then Senator Aquino’s running mate in the 2010 elections instead of Roxas.