Pres. Aquino Endorses Roxas as Administration Standard Bearer

(PNA) — The long wait is over after President Benigno Aquino III on Friday finally endorsed Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas as the standard bearer of the Liberal Party.

Dubbed as “A Gathering of Friends” in Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, the President emphasized that there was no other person who could surely continue the reforms of his administration other than Roxas, whom he called the “man of the hour.”

Tears suddenly roll on Roxas cheeks after President Aquino announced he was the anointed one.

Roxas, in his acceptance speech, said that he would never stain “Daang Matuwid.”

“Hinding-hindi ako lilihis sa ‘Daang Matuwid.’ Ibubuhos ko ang lahat, wala akong ititira para sa sarili ko. I will leave everything on the floor para sa labang ito,” Roxas vowed to his supporters.

Roxas was accompanied by his mother Judy Araneta-Roxas, his wife Korina Sanchez, and his son, gratefully accepted the President’s endorsement.

“Ngayon buong katapatan, buong loob at buong paninindigan kong tinatanggap ang tawag ng ‘Daang Matuwid,'” he stressed. “Ako si Mar Roxas, tinatanggap ko ang hamon ng ating mga boss, itutuloy, palalawakin, at ipaglalaban ang ‘Daang Matuwid.”

The interior and local government Secretary has been trailing behind in presidential preference surveys. But LP officials have said he was the most qualified to succeed Aquino, given his vast experience in government.

The President also showered Roxas with praise in his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, saying those who criticize the interior secretary were only afraid of his integrity and competence.

Roxas gave up his plans for the presidency in 2010 to give way to Aquino, after the death of former President Corazon Aquino generated a clamor for her only son to run for the country’s top post.

Roxas instead ran as Aquino’s running mate but lost to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

He will again face off with Binay, who has long declared his intention to seek the presidency under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), in next year’s polls.

Friday’s event, which coincided with the birthday of Roxas’ mother, was attended by members of the LP and other political parties and allies, representatives from civil society and organizations, and national and local government officials.

“Siguradong may kakayahan, siguradong walang ibang boss kundi ang taongbayan, siguradong walang ibang pinagkakautangan ng loob, siguradong walang ibang interes kundi ang bayan,” Aquino said.

“Doon na po tayo sa siguradong itutuloy ang ‘Daang Matuwid,’ at ang paniniwala ko po ang taong ito walang iba kundi si Mar Roxas,” he added which was greeted by loud applause and chanting “Roxas na”.

Aquino told the attendees of Roxas proclamation that he talked to at least three persons, whom he thought could continue the “straight path,” about the upcoming 2016 presidential elections. He was obviously referring to Roxas, Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero.

Both the President and Roxas recalled the significance of Club Filipino as venue of another historic event.

It was in Club Filipino where Aquino’s late mother was sworn in as President in 1986, ending the rule of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

It was also in the same place where Roxas announced his withdrawal from the 2010 presidential race and instead expressed his support for Aquino as the LP’s standard bearer.

Roxas, grandson of former President Manuel Roxas and son of the late Senator Gerry Roxas, recalled in his speech the moment in 2009 when Aquino told him that they would have to set aside their personal interests for the country.

“Sa pag-endorsong ito ay pakiramdam ko ay ipinapasa mo sa akin ngayon ang mga ipinaglaban nila,” a teary-eyed Roxas said. “Malaking karangalan po iyon para sa akin, Mr. President… At sumusumpa ako ngayon, hindi ko dudumihan ang pangalan nila at lalong hindi ko dudumihan ang pangalan po ninyo.”

Aquino credited Roxas for the growth of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the country. “Dito po, at sa marami pang ibang halimbawa, klarong-klaro ang integridad ng isang Mar Roxas,” he said.

The President also praised Roxas for continuously working hard despite criticisms from various sectors. He cited the flak the interior secretary received over his performance in relief and rehabilitation operations for victims of super typhoon “Yolanda” and his response to the Zamboanga siege in 2013. (PNA) RMA/SFM