MANILA - President Benigno Aquino's youngest sister, TV host-actress Kris Aquino, on Tuesday denied rumors that she will be seeking vice-presidency in the 2016 elections.
However, Kris said she is not closing her doors on politics.
During the live telecast of her primetime talk show "Aquino & Abunda Tonight," Kris said there has been no discussion about being the possible runningmate of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who is expected to be the administration's standard bearer in the 2016 polls.
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| Kris Aquino (left, foreground) poses with her siblings (clockwise from left) Ballsy Cruz, President Benigno Aquino III, Pinky Abellada, and Viel Dee in this photo posted by the actress-host on her Instagram page in August 2013. |
"It has never been discussed, no truth. Huwag silang gumawa ng intriga, kasi hindi talaga totoo," Kris said. "No plans, has not been discussed, is not on the table."
The supposed talks of a "Mar-Kris" tandem in 2016 was raised Monday. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said he would not want to preempt President Aquino's decision and announcement regarding the administration's presidential candidate.
Teased by co-host Boy Abunda on Tuesday that discussions about her possible candidacy may eventually surface, a laughing Kris said, "Oh my god, hindi sila handa! Hindi pa handa ang Pilipinas!"
But Kris, who has been hinting at her political plans as early as 2010, expressed willingness to run for public office in the future.
"I believe naman nasa dugo, 'di ba," said Kris, who is one of 5 children of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino. "Pero at this point in my life... Siguro categorically, kaya kong magsalita nang patapos -- sa 2016, it's not yet my time."
"Let's talk about 2019," she added.
The actress said last year that she was considering of running for a local position in Tarlac, her family's home province. At the time, Kris said that in order to prepare, she "would like [to undergo] on-the-job training with mayors of 'bonggang' cities," citing in particular Davao and Iloilo.
She also said she wants to start from a lower-level position if she enters politics. Citing her observations while going around the country, Kris said it's best to start making a difference "in a smaller environment."
However, both President Aquino and another Aquino sibling, Aurora "Pinky" Abellada, have gone on record to say they are against Kris' plans of joining politics.
"I adhere to that saying of the Americans, I think, that if you want to get even with somebody, get them into politics. And I love my sister," President Aquino said in December 2013, referring to Kris.
Pinky, on the other hand, cautioned her youngest sister about the demands of being a public official, noting Kris is a single mom to 2 sons.
"Kasi talagang 'yung life mo, you have to put it on hold 'di ba," Pinky said in an interview aired in August. "Paano ka naman magwo-work nang [mayroong] regular life? If you look at the bright side, okay din naman, pero sana huwag na siya mag-politics."
