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.
“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.
President Benigno Aquino III raises the hand of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas during “A Gathering of Friends” at the Cory C. Aquino Kalayaan Hall, Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan on Friday, July 31, 2015. The President endorses Sec. Roxas to be the presidential candidate of his political party LP. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Roxas praised the President, who he said had sacrificed so much for the country.
“I owe the Filipino as much; and I owe as much to you, Mr. President. I have never met a President who sacrificed so much for the country. I have never met a President who has been able to inspire so much confidence. Namuno po kayo sa pagsasabuhay ng mga paniniwala natin; ipinakita mo kung ano ang kaya nating marating gamit ang political will, ang paninindigan, ang pagkapit sa tama kahit gaano kalakas ang kalaban. Buong pagpapakumbaba akong nagpapasalamat sa iyo, at sa ating mga boss,” he said.
“Hindi ako lilihis sa daang matuwid. Ibubuhos ko ang lahat; wala akong ititira para sa sarili ko. I will leave everything on the floor para sa labang ito.”
Prior to his declaration, Roxas, whenever asked about his political plans in 2016, would only say “he’s willing to purse the President’s straight path.”
But in his speech, he made clear that the straight path transcends him and Aquino.
“Naniniwala ako: Hindi lang ito tungkol sa akin o kay P-Noy. Ang daang matuwid ay tungkol sa mga pangarap ng bawat Pilipino. Sabi nga ng Pangulo: It is worth fighting for. It is worth sacrificing for, and dying for if need be. The straight path transcends me and P-Noy; it is a Filipino ideal that has been there long before we were born, and will remain long after we are gone. Hinahamon tayo ng kasaysayan na isabuhay ang prinsipyong ito; na magpatuloy sa ating pasglalakbay; na ipaglaban ang ating mga pangarap bilang lahi,” Roxas said.
After his speech, the stage was showered with confetti as the crowd chanted “Roxas na!” while he shook hands with the President.
Singer and composer Noel Cabangon then perfomed a song titled “A Tribute to Daang Matuwid.”
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