INTERIOR Secretary Manuel Roxas II needs to work double time to improve his ratings, said Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. even as he stressed that the possible “anointment” of President Aquino would not be enough to win the presidency. Belmonte said Roxas, the presumptive presidential candidate of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), must present his platforms of government to the people without solely relying on President Aquino’s endorsement. “Definitely huwag niyang asahan yung endorsement. That is an added bonus, but I don’t think that should be a principal consideration at all,” Belmonte told reporters. “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 added. While agreeing that Aquino’s endorsement value has been boosted by the jump in his trust ratings in the latest Pulse Asia survey, Belmonte said Roxas must 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 pointed out. Nevertheless, Belmonte expressed belief that Roxas, who is third or fourth spot in various presidential surveys, can still improve his ratings. “Yes, I think he still has a chance,” said Belmonte.He also warned Sen. Grace Poe of a possible demotion job. “Having become the number one, she (Poe) will become the target even by her friends who are equally ambitious for the position and she should be watchful... She has become the person to beat,” he said. -pna