Aquino to endorse Roxas on Friday, says LP exec

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III with Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II
(Photo from Roxas’ official Facebook page)

MANILA – According to the Liberal Party (LP) secretary general, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is scheduled to endorse Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as his preferred successor and standard-bearer of his political party in the coming presidential elections.

“It’s going to be a simple affair, but everyone will be there, not only government officials,” LP political affairs chairperson Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice said in a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

The endorsement rites will be held on Friday at Club Filipino in San Juan City. After the event, another gathering for the formal declaration of support of government officials will be held next week.

LP member Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., however, stated that he was not informed of the schedule but confirmed his attendance.

“[Roxas is] the most qualified person for the presidency… [He is fit for the position in terms of] achievement, track record, qualifications, and integrity,” he said in the same report.

During Aquino’s sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA), he has already dropped hints that he has chosen Roxas as the presidential candidate he will support. The President has also defended the secretary from his detractors.

“Nasa loob o labas ka man ng gobyerno, hindi tumigil sa panlalait sa iyo ang mga kalaban ng ‘Daang Matuwid.’ Dahil nga may bilang ka, dahil talagang may ibubuga ka, nagpupursigi silang ibagsak ka. Palibhasa hindi nila kayang iangat ang sarili, kaya pilit ka nilang ibinababa. Sa patuloy nilang paninira, ang mga kritiko mo na rin ang nagpapatunay na takot sila sa angkin mong integridad, husay, at kahandaan sa trabaho. Mar, pinatutunayan mo: ‘You can’t put a good man down.’ Tulad ng pagtitiwala ng nanay at tatay ko, magtiwala kang alam ng taumbayan kung sino ang tunay na inuuna ang bayan, bago ang sarili,” he said.

(Whether you are in or out of government, the enemies of the ‘Straight Path’ have not stopped criticizing you. Because you count, because your words matter, they have continued to do their best to put you down. Through their constant attacks on your character, your critics themselves have proven that they are afraid of your integrity, skill, and ability to do the job. It’s only because they have nothing to boast of that they’re trying to bring you down. Mar, you are proving: ‘You can’t put a good man down.’ Just as my mother and father had faith, so too should you have faith that our countrymen know who truly puts country before self.)

Prior the President’s decision to support Roxas’ presidential bid, he also held several dinner meetings with Senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

“I think the result of [the] dialogue assures me – and I have to reiterate – there are really a lot [of candidates] who can continue what we are doing and that is what we are happy about,” he earlier told reporters.