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

Earlier, Roxas said joining politics was not part of his plans. For seven years, he was an investment banker in New York City. But when his brother passed away, he said he needed to continue what Dinggoy was not able to do: To continue their grandfather’s principle, “country first before self.”

“Kakambal na ng dugo namin ang kaisipang ito. Ito ang idiniin sa akin ng ama kong si Gerry at ito rin ang idinidiin ko sa anak at sa aking mga pamangkin: May obligasyon kang magsilbi; unahin mo ang kolektibo kaysa personal; palagi kang mag-ulikid sa mga kababayan mo,” he said.

Roxas’ voice was choked with emotion as he went on with his speech. At one point, he had to take off his eyeglasses to wipe his tears. “Pasensya na po kayo, mababa talaga ang luha ko,” he told the crowd.

“Nang nawala si Dinggoy, sa akin lumapag ang responsibilidad na isabuhay ang prinsipyong ito. Hindi ko ito kayang talikuran. Hindi ko kayang talikuran ang alaala ng Dad at ni Dinggoy, pati na ng aking Lolo. Tungkulin ko ito. Kahit alam kong magbabago ang buhay ko, at kakailanganin kong lumabas sa nakasanayan ko. I had to do justice to what I had been taught, and to what I knew in my heart was right. I accepted the responsibility,” he continued.

Recalling a conversation with Aquino in 2009, Roxas said that when he set aside his personal interests to give way to the then senator, the latter told him it was to continue the fight of his parents, former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco-Aquino.

“Sa pag-endorsong ito, ang pakiramdam ko, ipinapasa mo sa akin ngayon ang mga ipinaglaban nila (Ninoy and Cory Aquino). Sa pag-endorsong ito, ipinapasa mo rin ang pangarap at lakas ng bawat isa sa 100 milyong Pilipino. Mga boss, hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwala ninyo,” he said.

“Napakalaking karangalan nito, at sumusumpa ako ngayon: Hindi ko dudumihan ang pangalan nila (Aquinos). At lalong hindi ko dudumihan ang pangalan po ninyo,” he continued.