Mar stays as Liberal Party head

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Manuel Roxas II, President Aquino’s running mate in the May elections and incoming “chief troubleshooter,” remains as president of the administration Liberal Party.

Aquino also expressed steadfast support for Roxas, who critics fear could become a shadow president once appointed to the position.

During the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Liberal Party (LP) at Club Filipino in San Juan yesterday, Aquino maintained it is his prerogative to appoint people he can rely on.

“I am no superman who could do everything for the nation,” he said.

Aquino was elected national chairman of the party while Sen. Franklin Drilon was elected vice-chairman along with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo was elected executive vice president while Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya was named secretary-general. Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr. is the new treasurer.

Roxas’ possible appointment as “chief troubleshooter” of the President reaped criticisms from various sectors worried that he could wield tremendous influence in Malacañang.                                        

Two Catholic bishops recently said Roxas should be given a Cabinet position instead of being appointed to a position that has no clear job description.

“Well, they are assuming that he (Roxas) will have a lot of powers… At the end of the day, it is I who (will) decide on the appropriate action, at least for the executive department,” Aquino said.

He also dispelled speculations that Roxas will be appointed chief of staff. 

“That is the way you’re phrasing it but not necessarily. But (Roxas is) somebody who comes in with the necessary expertise to understand the problem, who can digest the same problems so that I will have more time in actually operationalizing the solution,” Aquino said.