Belmonte on Mar: Work double time to improve ratings

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Speaker Feliciano ‘Sonny’ Belmonte

MANILA — Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas need to work double time to improve his ratings, stressing the possible anointment of President Benigno Aquino III to his perceived presidential bid is not enough to win the presidency, Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. said Monday.

In a press conference, 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 President 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, the Speaker expressed belief that Roxas, who is third or fourth spot in various presidential surveys, can still improve his ratings.

“Yes I think so. May pag-asa pa si Mar. I think he has still the chance,” said Belmonte.

He also warned Sen. Grace Poe of possible demotion job that may even come from her closest friends.

“Having become the number one, she (Poe) will become the target of her friends who are equally ambitious for the position and she should be watchful. Noong araw parang kid sister ang tingin sa kanya, pero now that she has become the person to beat, siyempre iba na iyan,” he said.