Philippine president endorses interior minister as next leader

MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino endorsed long-time ally Manuel Roxas on Friday for the country´s 2016 presidential election, saying the interior minister was the best person to advance anti-corruption reforms.
“We choose the one who is certain to pursue the straight and narrow path,” said Aquino, alluding to his hallmark anti-graft crusade that he says ushered in unprecedented economic growth in the impoverished archipelago nation.
“I believe that person is none other than Mar Roxas,” the president told cheering members of his Liberal Party, using the minister´s nickname.
The Philippines elects a new leader in May 2016. Contenders must register their candidacy ahead of a mid-October deadline.
The interior minister is likely to run against Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is being investigated by a special prosecutor over graft allegations, and the popular Senator Grace Poe, who had also sought Aquino´s endorsement.
Supporters in yellow clapped and chanted “Roxas Now” as the 58-year-old grandson of the Philippines´ first president choked back tears and thanked Aquino.
“I accept the challenge,” said Roxas. “I will never stray from the straight and narrow path.”
Aquino said he interviewed three potential candidates ahead of Friday´s endorsement, but in the end chose Roxas, even though he has been polling poorly. However, analysts say Aquino´s pick was laden with risk.
“On paper, he looks like a competent technocrat and successor,” Richard Javad Heydarian, a political science professor at Manila´s De La Salle University, told AFP.