Aquino admin bracing for rainy season, not 2016 polls

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III still won't name the Liberal Party's standard bearer for the 2016 elections even if their political opponents are already gearing up.

Instead of thinking about the next polls, Aquino said the government is preoccupied with its efforts to address the country's woes, such as those caused by powerful disasters that frequent the country.

"I will announce (presidential bet) at the appropriate time. Pero sa ngayon, syempre naka-focus tayo sa problema ngayon imbes na 'yung 2016 elections," Aquino said at a televised interview with media at the sidelines of the Pinoy Music Summit in Manila on Wednesday.

With the country still recovering from a previous year of deadly disasters, Aquino noted that the rainy season is approaching.

"Manigurado tayong handa yung mga komunidad natin... Tatlong buwan na lang po ang taning para maipundar yung mga priorities," Aquino said.

On Tuesday, Aquino reminded local officials to pay attention to the maps of disaster-prone areas that have been shared to the local government units.

"Sana po tutukan natin 'yan habang may oras pa tayo, sana masabi natin, 'Ginawa na natin ang lahat ng dapat magawa,'" Aquino said in his speech before members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

In the same speech, Aquino also took a swipe at government officials who are already preoccupied with the 2016 elections instead of fulfilling their mandate to the people.

But on Wednesday, Aquino said jockeying for positions by politicians may also help voters in scrutinizing potential candidates in 2016.

"Baka mabibigyan ng mas mahabang pagkakataon suriin ang bawat kandidato. Mabibigyan ang ating mga mamamayan ng pagkakataon na talagang masuri, salang-sala ang pagpipili nila, so palagay ko makakatulong rin 'yun," he said.