MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 2) Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Monday announced that he has accepted the offer to become the running mate of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III in next year's elections.

At a jampacked room in Club Filipino in Greenhills, Roxas’s announcement paves the way for making official the Liberal Party tandem Aquino-Roxas for 2010.

"Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang hamon na isulong ang tunay na reporma sa ating bansa. Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad na maging kabalikat ni Noynoy sa kanyang laban para sa pagbabago (I am wholeheartedly accepting the challenge to pursue true reforms in our country. I am wholeheartedly accepting the responsibility to be Noynoy’s partner in our fight for change)," Roxas told LP stalwarts and members, and their supporters, most of them were wearing yellow shirts.

"Mga kababayan, taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang maging katambal ni Noynoy Aquino (My countrymen, I am wholeheartedly accepting to be the running mate of Noynoy Aquino)," he said.

"But this fight is not just about Noynoy and me. Tungkol ito sa matuwid laban sa baluktot. Tungkol ito sa tapat laban sa tiwali. Tungkol ito sa tama laban sa mali (This fight is to right the wrong, to fight corruption, to fight the wrong)," he said.

Roxas said the fight was about the people's thirst for change finally overcoming those who want to continue the "tayu-tayo (we) system, the horse-trading, the greed, the self-interest, the transactional politics that has been the biggest roadblock to progress and prosperity for all.

Admitting that this fight would be a tough battle, the senator then urged the public not to be lulled into complacency.

"We are up against forces who will fight tooth and nail, fair and unfair, legal and illegal, against us. Sa kanila yata, tuloy ang ligaya; sa atin naman, tuloy ang laban (For them, the good life will continue; for us, the fight will continue)," he said.

"Kailangan nating isulong ang bandila ni Noy at ng reporma. Mahirap ang laban na ito, pero nasa kamay natin ang ating kapalaran (We need to raise the flag for Noy and reform. This is a difficult fight, but our fate is in our hands)," he further said.

"Buong-loob kong isinusulong si Noynoy Aquino (I am fully resolved to campaign for Noynoy). I am honored to join him in this field of battle," said Roxas, who was wearing a yellow polo shirt.

"To all of us here in this hall and all across this great nation, who are fighting alongside him, make no mistake about it: We will not back down from this fight, not now, not ever," he added.

After declaring his presidential bid last September 9, 2009, Aquino disclosed that he had offered the vice presidential post to Roxas, who gave up his presidential ambition for Aquino.

The crowd was singing the names of Aquino and Roxas to the tune of "Those were the days" when the two arrived at the venue.

Aquino, who was wearing a black polo shirt, first delievered a speech, endorsing Roxas as his vice president next year.

"Sinasabi ko po si Mar Roxas ay talagang napakarami ng katangian, napakarami ng naipakitang pagsisilbi sa ating pong bansa kaya hindi kahiya-hiyang imungkahi para sa pangalawang pinakamataas na position po (I say that Mar Roxas has a lot of traits which has shown how he has served the country. That’s why there’s no shame to propose his getting the second highest post in the land)," he said.

Aquino cited how Roxas fought hard to bring down the prices of medicines in the country as well as against the irregularities in the pre-need industry.

"Mga minamahal kong kababayan, isa pong katangi-tangi at malaking karangalan na ipresenta ko po sa inyong lahat ang aking makakatambal bilang bise presidente si Sen. Mar Roxas (My beloved countrymen, it is with great and distinct honor to present to you all my vice president, Senator Mar Roxas)," Aquino said.

The crowd chanted the names of the senators after they delivered their speeches.

Aquino and Roxas also joined singer Noel Cabangon in singing "Mabuting Pilipino."

Those who attended the gathering were Aquino's sister Viel, Roxas's mother Judy Araneta, Senator Rodolfo Biazon, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Congressmen Erin Tanada and Risa Hontiveros, former congressmen Florencio "Butch" Abad and Nereus Acosta, former Cabinet members Teresita Deles and Avelino Cruz, Jim Paredes, Cory Quirino, among others.