PNoy spokesman starts campaign urging Leni to be Mar's VP

MANILA, Philippines - The spokesman of President Benigno Aquino III started on Friday an online campaign that seeks to convince Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo to be the running mate of Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II.

Presidential Spokersperson Edwin Lacierda posted a jump shot on his Facebook account with the caption "I'll jump with you Leni #jumpwithleni."

Lacierda urged netizens to support Robredo by posting their jump shots.

"Please take a photo of your jump and do the hashtag! Let's all jump with her!" he said.

When asked by a netizen if Robredo will be running with Roxas, Lacierda said "That's why we all need to show Leni and her daughters they are not alone!"

Roxas, who was with Robredo in Naga City this morning, confirmed that he formally asked the lawmaker to be his running mate after Sen. Grace Poe declined his offer.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said other people have been urging Robredo to seek the vice presidency.

"This is not the first initiative to convince si Congresswoman Leni to run. Meron na rin pong mga existing groups that have asked her to run for higher office. So perhaps mas napansin lang po 'yung ngayon kasi si Secretary Lacierda 'yung nagsimula talaga," Valte said.

Valte said the president is aware of the ongoing talks with Robredo.

"I think nag-usap sila a month ago but they were talking about a possible Senate run. I am not aware, I am not privy to a possible conversation that may have happened recently about vice presidential run," she said.

Valte refused to compare the possible Roxas-Robredo tandem with the team-up of Poe and Sen. Francis Escudero.

The Palace official, however, praised Robredo, saying her principles are aligned with that of Aquino and Roxas.

She also noted that Roxas is close friend of her late husband, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

"It shouldn't be a surprise also that si Congresswoman Leni fits into what the president wants to be continued," Valte said.

"The president believes in continuity and the president also believes very strongly in finding the right people to push for that continuity," she also said.