Mar jokes about 'Mar-Garin' 2016 tandem

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the guessing game on who will be his running mate, Liberal Party standard-bearer and Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Friday joked about the name of his tandem with Health Secretary Janette Garin.

Speaking before the participants of the National Health Summit in Pasay, Roxas said he and Garin had collaborated to push for the cheaper medicines law when they were still in Congress.

"Sec. Garin and I worked closely together. When I was a senator, she was leading the effort at the House of Representatives for the passage of cheaper medicines law many years ago," Roxas said.

"We continue to work well together at the executive side of the government and so with all the speculations as to who would be my running mate, if you think about Janette Garin, it will be Mar-Garin," he added, drawing laughs from the audience.

Roxas went on to praise Garin, saying she was "leading the effort to humanize and to make much more relevant to the average Filipino the health care agenda of government."

Roxas continued to joke about the Mar-Garin tandem in an ambush interview with reporters.

"Margarine has less cholesterol. It is also a height booster," he added.

Roxas, nevertheless, said he recognizes the capabilities and experience of the health chief.

"I think Sec. Janette wants to continue serving the health sector. We are both from Panay Island and we are from the Liberal Party," he added.

Sought for her reaction, Garin clarified that she has no plans to run for vice president or any electoral post. Garin said Roxas' joke stemmed from discussions on whether margarine is more healthful than butter.

"It was like igniting a sense of humor but it is also a health message. Many people believe butter is healthier than margarine but it's the other way around," Garin said.

"No, I'm not running because I'm still with the Department of Health," she added.

Garin said she would just continue the programs of her agency including the implementation of the cheaper medicines act.

"It is a bit embarrassing because I'm not one of those considered (to be Roxas's running mate)," she added.

Roxas said the administration coalition is still convincing Sen. Grace Poe to run as his vice president.

"We have an invitation to Sen. Grace. There will come a time that she will accept it or reject it," the administration's presidential bet said. 

"If she rejects, the coalition and the president will decide on their next move," he added.

Poe topped the latest surveys for possible presidential and vice presidential candidates despite being a political neophyte.

Roxas, meanwhile, ranked third behind Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay in the Social Weather Station survey released last June. He was in fourth place behind Poe, Binay and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the Pulse Asia poll released in the same month.