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

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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