Video by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
As expected, President Benigno Aquino III formally endorsed on Friday Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as the administration’s bet for president in 2016.
Aquino made the endorsement at the historic Club Filipino in San Juan city where in 2009 he declared his own presidential bid in the 2010 elections.
READ: Aquino declares presidential bid
It was also where Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, was sworn in as president in 1986 after leading the “People Power” revolution that ended the 20-year reign of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
“Marahil may nag-isip baka ‘yung iba maaring ituloy ang nasimulan natin, baka ‘yung iba kaya panagutin ang mga tiwali, baka ‘yung iba maituloy ang paganda ng ekomomiya…ang serbisyong panlipunan, baka ‘yung iba manatili sa tuwid na daan. Ang sa akin lang po bakit tayo magpapaakit sa baka, kung meron namang sigurado?” he asked.
(There may be others who are thinking that others can probably carry on what we have started, that there are others who can probably go after the corrupt, that there are others who will probably continue improving the economy and giving service to public, that there are others who will probably continue to tread the straight path. But for me, why should we go for candidates who are unsure when we have someone who is a sure bet?)
“Siguradong may kakayahan, siguradong walang ibang boss kung hindi ang taumbayan, siguradong walang ibang interest kung hindi ang taumbayan. Sa madaling salita po, doon na po tayo sa siguradong itutuloy ang daang matuwid. At ang paniniwala ko po ang taong ito ay walang iba kundi si Mar Roxas!” said the President.
(We have someone who surely has the skill, who surely has no other boss than the people, who certainly has no interest than serving the people. In other words, we will go for someone who will surely continue the straight path. It is my belief that this person is no other than Mar Roxas.)
Roxas was present at the club to accept the President’s endorsement of his presidential bid.
In 2009, Roxas dropped his presidential ambition to give way to Aquino, who belatedly decided to join the 2010 presidential race after the death of his mother in August, 2009.
READ: Roxas gives way to Aquino
Aquino’s endorsement now of Roxas was seen by many as his way of paying back to a friend and party mate, who once sacrificed his presidential bid for him. IDL
