Kris Aquino dispels talk of vice presidential bid in 2016

KRIS Aquino. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — “2016 is not yet my time,” was how popular TV host and actress Kris Aquino dispelled Tuesday night reports of her possible vice presidential bid in the next elections.

Kris, the youngest sister of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, was reportedly being considered to be the runningmate of Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas in 2016.

Another report though said that Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero was being eyed to become Roxas’ running mate.

Aquino repeatedly denied any plan or discussion about her candidacy in 2016. “(It) has never been discussed, no truth. Huwag silang gumawa ng intriga kasi hindi talaga totoo,” she said over ABS-CBN’s show “Aquino-Abunda Tonight” when asked by her co-host, Boy Abunda, about the reports.

“Oh my God, hindi sila handa. Hindi pa handa ang Pilipinas (they are not ready. The Philippines is not yet ready),” she said.

While she did not rule out the possibility of her entering soon into politics, Aquino assured that it would not happen in 2016.

“Siguro I believe naman nasa dugo pero at this point in my life, siguro categorically kaya kong magsalita ng patapos. Sa 2016 is not yet my time, let’s talk about 2019,” said Aquino.

Like her brother, Aquino said she would rather wait for the right time before joining politics. She noted that the President waited for several years before running for Congress and only did so after their mother, the late Corazon C. Aquino, stepped down in 1992.