HOUSE Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., vice-chair of administration Liberal Party, urged Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II not to wait for President Benigno Aquino III's anointment to be his successor come 2016.
Aquino is expected to name his preferred successor in the next coming months.
Belmonte said Roxas, the presumptive presidential bet of LP, should "rely on his own self" on the days leading to the May 2016 polls.
The House leader described Aquino's endorsement as an "added bonus."
"Definitely huwag niyang (Roxas) asahan iyun (endorsement). That is an added bonus, but I don't think that should be a principal consideration at all," said Belmonte, noting Roxas' improved ranking in survey.
The Speaker said Roxas should figure out his poor performance in the latest presidential surveys albeit the slight improvement in his figures.
"He (Roxas) has to do his best and he has to find out and analyze bakit mababa ang ratings and do something about it," he said.
Belmonte said Roxas has to work "very hard" to improve his ratings.
"I believe a person should work for himself, do his best to project himself, and present the very best of his abilities for the country. Kung ma-anoint ka man, that’s a small matter. That should not be a major consideration, iyun ang tingin ko, it is really personal to me that you rely basically for yourself," he said.
Belmonte, meanwhile, expressed belief that Roxas who ranks third to fourth place in the various presidential surveys can still improve his ratings.
"Yes I think so, I think he has still the chance," said Belmonte. (Sunnex)