Martin Romualdez on Roxas comics: People choose their own heroes
Leave it to the people.
This was the two cents of senatorial candidate Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez when asked about the controversial comic book depicting Liberal Party standard-bearer former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as hero during the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in Eastern Visayas.
“At the end of the day, it’s the prerogative of any candidate to project himself in any manner or way they feel,” Romualdez said on Friday during the “Pandesal Forum” at Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City.
READ: Comic book showing ‘hero’ Roxas during ‘Yolanda’ draws flak
Romualdez, cousin of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, said it was up to the public on how they view the comic book titled “Sa Gitna ng Unos,” which drew flak for putting Roxas in a heroic light in the immediate aftermath of Yolanda, amid criticisms on the government’s allegedly slow rehabilitation efforts.
“It’s up to the public to view it or read it or assess it… At the end of the day, it’s up to the people to decide who they feel are their heroes,” he said.
Asked about his different stand with his cousin’s, Romualdez said more important issues should be considered in moving forward from the tragedy, however, he added that he respects the Tacloban mayor’s opinion as he was closer to the issue’s heart as local chief executive.
READ: Mayor Romualdez says Roxas’ comics ‘fiction’
“I also have to transcend the issues that are very, very sensitive—other issues that we want to carry forward, like we want to further uplift,” Romualdez said.
“We don’t have to echo or repeat what has already been articulated so I want to move on and move forward,” he added.
Mayor Romualdez on Thursday criticized the comics featuring Roxas as “fictional” and “baseless.”
READ: Roxas on comic book: I didn’t approve it, but it’s accurate
Roxas said the comic book was an initiative of his supporters, adding that the scenes in the book were accurate. RAM
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