By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday formally endorsed the candidate he wishes to succeed him, and continue the programs he has initiated in the last five years.

Aquino's backing of Interior Minister Manuel "Mar" Roxas at a ceremony at Club Filipino on the Manila suburbs signaled the start of the presidential race for the May 2016 elections.

Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Grace Poe are frontrunners based on pre-election popularity surveys by the local SWS survey firm and Pulse Asia, while Roxas is a poor third.

Club Filipino is the same venue where Roxas announced in 2010 he was setting aside his presidential plans to give way to Aquino's candidacy.

"We will go for the candidate who will continue the 'daang matuwid' [straight path]," GMA News quoted Aquino as saying in his endorsement speech. "My belief is that this candidate is no other than Mar Roxas." 

"Straight path" was Aquino's campaign slogan from his day's running for president to his two terms in office, running after and prosecuting corrupt government officials. 

"My boss [people], I beg you now... In my opinion, the one of displayed integrity is Mar Roxas," he added.  

Aquino, who was upbeat throughout his speech, was reported to have expressed confidence in Roxas continuing his reform agenda, but acknowledged the work to be done if he is to win the election.

"His numbers are low. This means we have to improve publicity on him," the President said.

Roxas’ endorsement comes after he and the president met with Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero, who were also considering running for higher office in 2016.

The four, however, were unable to reach a consensus on who will run for what positions during the meeting.

Aquino, however, said he felt it was his obligation to pick his preferred successor.

“There were some who suggested I will not endorse anybody and just be a friend to all... I think that's not right... That's personal interest and not [the] interest of the country," he said.

Aquino's father, senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, was assassinated in 1983, a tragedy that triggered a peaceful uprising which ousted strongman Ferdinand Marcos and later catapulted Cory Aquino to the presidency in 1986. 

Roxas also comes from a family of politicians. His grandfather, Manuel Roxas, served as president post World War II, his father, Gerardo, was a senator and a brother was a congressman.