(Eagle News) — Department of interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas resigned from the cabinet on Friday, Sept. 11, to run for the presidency next year under the administration’s ruling Liberal Party. The resignation came more than a month after he was chosen to be the LP’s standard bearer by President Aquino.
This came about as a new DILG chief was appointed to take over his post, in the person of Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen-Sarmiento. Sarmiento is the secretary-general of the ruling LP and is the de facto party head in the Chamber. He also once served as mayor of Calbayog, Samar.
Roxas, 58, a former congressman and senator, has vowed to continue the President’s “Daang Matuwid” (straight path) anti-corruption platform.
A Pulse Asia survey from May 30 to June 5 showed Roxas a far fourth in the presidentiable choices whom the public would vote for. The top contender then was Senator Grace Poe, followed by Vice-President Jejomar Binar, and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
But a recent Liberal Party-commissioned survey showed Roxas as the reported front runner in the polls, leading over Binay. Poe and Duterete were excluded in the survey. The survey results were also announced by the LP vice-chair for political affairs Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice.
Erice claimed the internal survey showed that Roxas will win against Binay if the presidential race were a one-on-one fight between them.
The LP is still looking for Roxas’ possible running-mate.
The Commission on Elections has set October 12 to 16 as the period for the filing of certificates of candidacy for those running in the 2016 elections, from President down to Local Government posts.
