Roco on VP mate: Mum’s the word

Former Sen. Raul Roco kept mum yesterday over his most probable choice for vice president in the 2004 presidential elections.

He said that a lot of factors would be considered in picking a running mate, including endorsements by various groups supporting him.

The other day, Sen. Loren Legarda said she was not discounting the possibility of being the running mate of Roco, although she stressed that Roco had not approached her at all for the formation of such a ticket.

Legarda made the comment after a Pulse Asia survey showed top preference for a Roco-Legarda ticket. Roco also topped the survey on 19 probable presidential candidates, and Legarda, on probable vice presidential candidates.

Roco said that Legarda, a former colleague in the Senate, is a good friend.

"We helped each other during the impeachment trial of former President (Joseph) Estrada. In fact, we had the same vote," he recalled.

Roco, however, added that he could not make a choice on his running mate this early, with the presidential campaign period about 15 months away.

As a matter of practice, the choice of running mate is usually announced last by a presidential candidate.

Legarda has admitted being wooed by other political personalities to be their vice president. Among those believed to be interested in having her as running mate are Sen. Edgardo Angara and Sen. Panfilo Lacson, both of the opposition Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

Angara was the highest ranked opposition leader in the Pulse Asia survey.

"Anybody will be happy to have Sen. Legarda in their party...Any ticket will improve with her around," Roco told The Star.

Roco said that his runningmate would be a product of "collective inputs" of those who have been helping his political party, Aksyon Demokratiko.

"I don’t wan’t to be accused of making false promises. My running mate may be known in October 2003," he said.

Meanwhile, Roco expressed pleasure over his getting the highest ranking in the November survey of 19 probable presidential candidates by the prestigious Pulse Asia.

"I am very thankful to the people for remembering me very well," he said.

Roco was followed in the survey by actor Fernando Poe Jr., Sen. Noli de Castro and President Arroyo.

He, however, sought to downplay his continued topping of various surveys.

"The 2004 presidential elections is still far away. A lot of work still remains to be done," Roco said. — With Sheila Crisostomo