President Rodrigo Duterte’s encouragement for people to vote for Mar Roxas II in next year’s elections is a clear endorsement that affirms the qualification of the former Interior Secretary.
This was the observation of Vice President Leni Robredo, chairperson of the Liberal Party — the opposition political group where Roxas also belongs. Roxas, who lost to Duterte in the 2016 presidential elections, is gunning for a return to the Senate in the 2019 midterm polls.
“Masayang balita iyan. Masayang balita na in-endorse ni Pangulong Duterte si Secretary Mar for the Senate. Affirmation iyon na very much qualified, walang duda iyong qualifications, dapat talagang tulungan,” Robredo said.
After trading barbs and harsh accusations during the campaign period in 2016, Duterte seemed to have vouched for Roxas and his senatorial bid during a speech in Boracay on Thursday.
“Alam ko si Roxas, vote for Roxas, Ilonggo. Iboto ninyo, walang problema ‘yan,” Duterte said.
According to Robredo, she only heard about Duterte’s statements from reporters. She also thinks Roxas was not aware of Duterte’s remarks about his candidacy.
“Hindi niya sa akin naikuwento. First time ko actually narinig na in-endorse siya ni Pangulong Duterte,” she said.
Roxas is one the eight candidates of the Oposisyon Koalisyon (OK), a team-up between various political parties including LP, Akbayan Partylist, Magdalo Partylist, Aksyon Demokratiko, and Tindig Pilipinas. /kga