‘I am Mar Roxas, I accept the challenge of my bosses’

Video by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net

Originally posted: 2:35 PM July 31st, 2015

An emotional Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II declared he would join the presidential race following his anointment as President Benigno Aquino III’s chosen successor in 2016.

“Tulad ng nasabi ninyo, Pangulo, simula pa lang ito. Laban pa rin tayo. Ako si Mar Roxas; tinatanggap ko ang hamon ng ating mga boss: Itutuloy, palalawakin, at ipaglalaban ang daang matuwid (As the President said, this is just the start. We shall continue to fight. I am Mar Roxas; I accept the challenge of our bosses: To continue, expand, and fight for the straight path),” Roxas said in his acceptance speech at the historic Club Filipino in San Juan City on Friday.

Roxas addressed the crowd of at least 500 Liberal Party members and supporters, all wearing yellow tops and ribbons, at the jampacked Cory Aquino Kalayaan Hall during the event called “A Gathering of Friends.”

This was after Aquino’s endorsement of Roxas as the standard-bearer of the ruling party and the administration coalition in the general elections in 2016.

Before Roxas delivered his speech, Aquino said: “Doon na tayo sa siguradong magtutuloy ng daang matuwid. Ang taong ito ay walang iba kung hindi si Mar Roxas.”

Aquino lauded Roxas, his known close friend, for having the initiative to act on several issues and crises, particularly disasters, under his administration.

Among Roxas’ family members present were his wife and TV broadcaster Korina Sanchez, mother Judy Araneta-Roxas and son Paolo Gerardo.

During his speech, Roxas turned emotional when he said he was accepting the challenge to lead the country as he wanted to continue the legacy of his forefathers and his late brother Gerardo “Dinggoy” Roxas in public service.

Dinggoy, a former representative of Capiz in Roxas province, succumbed to colon cancer in 1993 at the age of 32.