Video by Noy Morcoso
SENATOR Grace Poe has no plans of joining any political group despite pronouncements by聽some Liberal Party (LP) leaders that they would not endorse a non-member聽as its standard-bearer in 2016.
Poe said President Benigno Aquino III did not offer her to join the LP when they met聽Wednesday but 鈥淚 kept聽my position that I maintain to be an independent candidate.鈥�
鈥淚 think that our countrymen will appreciate it more if you maintain your independence. At this point, I think it鈥檚 too politically expedient聽just for the upcoming elections to swear in to a particular party,鈥� she told reporters in an interview in Makati City on Thursday.
Some LP leaders, including its vice-chairman, Senate President Franklin Drilon, said that the President would not endorse a non-member. This, after Vice President Jejomar Binay expressed hope Wednesday that the President would endorse him in 2016.
READ: Aquino鈥檚 endorsement reserved for LP members only, says Drilon
When sought for comment on the LP鈥檚 position, Poe said: 鈥淚f they are not open to a non-LP member, that鈥檚 their policy.鈥�
Asked if her being independent was non-negotiable, the senator said: 鈥淜asi may mga ibang bagay na kailangang panindigan natin at sa tingin ko naman ang iisipin natin kung ano ang makakabuti sa ating mga kababayan.鈥�
鈥淚 feel my independence has allowed me also to make certain positions without having to be constrained by a particular party. Not that I鈥檓 saying that a party is not good but what I鈥檓 just saying is that there are certain considerations that it鈥檚 better also to remain independent,鈥� she further said.
Poe has yet to decide whether or not to seek a higher post next year but said she and another independent senator, Francis 鈥淐hiz鈥� Escudero, have been talking about the 2016 elections.
鈥淪enator Chiz and I have been friends. Yes we talk about possibilities but there鈥檚 nothing certain yet,鈥� she said.