De Lima 'not ready' for vice-presidential post

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Thursday clarified that she is not ready for a vice presidential bid in 2016.

De Lima added that she has not yet been formally asked to run for vice president.

The justice secretary made the clarification following Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad’s suggestion that De Lima can be the running mate of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, the standard bearer of the Liberal Party for 2016.

De Lima said she is not ready to run for any other position higher than senator.

De Lima has not yet made direct declaration of her plans in 2016 but she already hinted and expressed interest to run for senator in the past months.

On her birthday, August 27, she said it is “time to move on from point J to point S” referring to the Department of Justice and Senate respectively.