LP stalwarts want Roxas to drop Poe as VP

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) - His party mates want him to move on from Sen. Grace Poe, but it's unclear if Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II will heed their advice.

Asked on Monday (September 7) about his ongoing search for a vice presidential running mate, Roxas only had this to say: “It’s very good. I’m very happy with the status."

The Liberal Party presidential bet said he even discussed the matter with President Benigno Aquino III over the weekend. But he remained tight-lipped on the details.

Last week, Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte – Liberal Party co-vice chairmen – said it was about time for Roxas to "move on" and for the party to look at other options.

It appears that more LP members are starting to think this way.

Poe not good enough to be Mar’s VP

Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, electoral and political affairs chairman of the LP, has started criticizing Poe. It’s a stark contrast to his stance when his party was still waiting for the senator’s response.

Erice cited three instances which led him to believe that Poe should be dropped.

First, Erice believes Poe didn’t keep her word when she told the president that she would stick to the "Daang Matuwid" campaign.

“Lahat ng nakakaunawa diyan, pagtatawanan yung statement na yun. Parang salitang pulitiko na nangangako lang yun,” Erice said.

Second, when she said that there should be an international airport in Pangasinan. And lastly, when she took a stand on the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) protest without considering the government’s position.

“Lumalabas dun sa Pangasinan, a little learning is a dangerous thing. 'Yung sa INC naman parang she’s playing with fire,” said Erice.

Who can replace Poe?

The same names keep cropping up in LP's search for a vice president: Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano of the Nacionalista Party (NP).

The NP, however, seems to be caught in a dilemma: Iit has three members who are said to be eying the vice presidency.

NP is also reported to be in talks for a coalition with PDP-Laban, brewing a tandem of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo and Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This partnership would mean that it will have to drop its coalition with LP.

Amid all these, Roxas is optimistic he will still get support from their coalition partners even if they end up going their separate ways.