SENATE Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is tightlipped on speculations that the appointment of former Sen. Mar Roxas as chief of staff of President Benigno Aquino III is “preparation” for the 2016 national elections.

“I do not want to comment on that,” Estrada said when asked whether Roxas’s designation as Aquino’s “right hand man” would help the former senator prepare for the 2016 presidential polls.

However, Estrada hopes that the President will exert effort to “unite” the supposed factions in Malacañang —  the Balay group led by Roxas and the Samar side of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa. “Kailangan siguro si Pres. Noynoy ipagkasundo na ‘yung dalawang paksyon. Iyung isa kay  Sen. Roxas. Iyung isa kay Exec. Secretary Ochoa. Magkasundo na kasi habang lumalala ‘yung away nung paksyon ang naapektuhan taong bayan,” he said.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the appointment of Roxas as Aquino’s chief of staff is a function of the President. “I will not pretend to advise a President regarding how he will do his job, and it involves his judgment and his action, in that respect, will either make or unmake the administration,” he said.