Poe is eyeing presidency, time for LP to move on - Drilon

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — By all indications, Sen. Grace Poe has set her sights on the highest office of the land, according to Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Drilon said on Friday (September 4) that Poe's recent trips in different parts of the country only pointed to one direction — the presidency.

"Unang-una, she has been going around, making speeches to various schools and organizations. Hindi naman gagawin yan kung hindi ka tatakbo. Hindi madaling mag-ikot," Drilon told reporters.

[Translation: "First of all, she has been going around, making speeches to various schools and organizations. You don't do that if you're not running because that's not easy to do."]

This developed despite Poe's pronouncements that she still had to decide whether she would be running for a higher public office next year.

But for Drilon, who sits as Liberal Party (LP) vice chairman, it's time for the administration party to give up on wooing Poe and look for other possible running mates for Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.

Two weeks ago, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio "Jun" Abaya said that there would be no deadline in terms of waiting for Poe's nod to be the administration's vice presidential bet.

Related: Abaya on waiting for Poe: A suitor never imposes a deadline

Abaya, who is also LP acting president, was reacting to statements of partymates like Rep. Edgar Erice that they would only wait for Poe until mid-September.

Related: LP to wait for Poe only until September 14

Drilon said he would now ask Abaya to convene the National Executive Council to nominate and choose LP's vice presidential bet and also to prepare the senatorial slate.

He said he believed that Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV were viable contenders for the vice presidential post.

Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., LP deputy secretary general, agreed with Drilon saying "it's time to move on" and look for another partner for Roxas.

Another party member, Rep. Rey Umali said he can't think of anyone else to pair with Roxas except for Robredo and "perhaps De Lima."

However, Drilon said that Justice Secretary Leila De Lima would be on the administration's senatorial slate —something he had confirmed as early as June 17.

Related: Drilon, source jump gun on De Lima's senatorial bid

CNN Philippines' Anna Estanislao contributed to this report.