Roxas calls on Poe for a ‘meeting’ for unity, future of PHL

Liberal Party presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II called on presidential rival Senator Grace Poe to talk “for the unity of our country” when he delivered a statement on Friday (May 06, 2016) at the Liberal Party headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City. In the latest SWS survey, Poe and Roxas garnered 22 and 20 percent, respectively, behind frontrunner Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte who got 33 percent. (Photo: Jess Escaros Jr./PNA)

MANILA – On the eve of the last day of campaign for the May 9 elections, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas II on Friday called on co-presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe for a meeting for the future of the country.

“I call on Senator Grace Poe. Grace, mag-usap tayo. I will adjust schedules to your convenience. Sabihin mo lang kung saan at kailan at darating ako. This is for unity. This is for our country. This is for our future,” Roxas announced.

Roxas said the three-month campaign “has been very divisive and vicious. We have run a very hard-charging and spirited campaign.”

“Now, the silent majority at marami sa ating mga kababayan, ‘yung mga undecided ay kumikilos na patungo sa atin. But still, citizens of goodwill from all walks of life are worried. They are concerned that damage is already being done to the country and our democracy,” he said.

“Uncertainty and the specter of a dictatorship are looming over our country once again. The Peso has dropped, affecting everything from the price of oil, medicines, steel, other imported goods; investors are putting plans on hold; and after six years of the corrupt being on the run, we now face the possibility of a leader coming to power who cares nothing about honesty, integrity, transparency, responsibility, or even just basic decency. Sa harap ng lahat nang ito, responsibilidad ng sinumang nagnanais na mamuno ng ating bansa na pag-isipan ang interes ng pangkalahatan, pag-isipan ang pangangailangan ng ating bansa,” he noted.

Roxas stressed that at this point in time, it is more important to consider the future of the country rather than the political career of a candidate.

“Sa tingin ko naman, sang-ayon ang lahat: Mas mahalaga ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa, kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan, kaysa political career ng kahit sinomang politiko o kandidato,” he said.

“I call for unity. I call for decency. I call for democracy. I call for the rule of law,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Daang Matuwid Spokesman Atty. Barry Gutierrez said there is no basis to the rumor that the LP standard- bearer will withdraw from the presidential race.

“He (Roxas) has given his commitment to the Filipino people and will not fail their trust and support. We abhor this malicious rumor, which is obviously intended to weaken those who support Mar and entice them into supporting another candidate,” said Gutierrez in a statement.

“To these rumormongers, we tell you: We are solid in our support for Mar. We, along with all those who have come out in the past few days to declare their support, will stand with Mar. Mar, in his long and distinguished service in government, has proven how tough he is. He has never backed down on matters of principle. He will never pander solely for the sake of popularity. And he will not withdraw particularly now, when the race is just between him and (Davao City) Mayor (Rodrigo) Duterte,” he said.