Aquino: Cabinet not divided over Mar

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday dismissed speculations that his Cabinet has become divided over the support for his anointed one, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

"Not from my perspective. Baka you should ask those who--the others," Aquino told Palace reporters in an ambush interview when asked about the reported split in his Cabinet.

Aquino said such reports may just be part of the political or election season when anybody can make any allegation.

"At the end of the day, may pruweba ba?" he said.

But at the same time, Aquino also said that his Cabinet members are free to support the presidential candidate of their choice.

"Hindi naman kami nagdidiktahan. Parating consensus building kami," the President said.

On July 31, Aquino officially proclaimed Roxas as the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party, saying he is the one who is most capable of continuing the administration's "Daang Matuwid."

Roxas' potential rivals in the 2016 elections are Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay, the two leading candidates in the latest surveys on voters' presidential preference.

Binay, who defeated Roxas in the 2010 polls, had long declared his presidential bid. He resigned from the Cabinet in June after failing to get Aquino's endorsement.

Meanwhile, Poe is still being courted by the Liberal Party to be its vice presidential bet. She has yet to announce her plans for next year's elections.