Sen. Serge Osmeña III. NOY MORCOSO III/黑料社 FILE PHOTO

Thanks, but no thanks.

That was how Senator Sergio Osmeña III reacted on Thursday when asked about his possible inclusion in the senatorial ticket of Senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

READ: Poe readies Senate slate

Osmeña said no offer has been made yet for him to join Poe’s slate but said he would say no if he receives such offer.

“I have to find a gentle way to say no, thank you,” he said in a text message when asked if he was open to run under Poe’s ticket.

Even before Poe declared her presidential bid, Osmeña had already warned her against teaming up with Escudero.

READ: Ditch Escudero, Osmeña advises Poe

Osmeña also gave a categorical “no” answer when asked if he was open to the idea of running under the ticket of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who also declared her presidential bid in 2016.

“Duterte, yes. Miriam, no,” he said. Duterte is Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who already announced that he would not join the presidential derby.

Asked again if he thinks Santiago was serious in seeking the presidency next year, Osmeña said: “As serious as someone sick in the body and sick in the head can be.” CDG