‘Roxas for the masses’ campaign shaping up

The camp of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas is drawing up a campaign strategy that his supporters hope will finally shatter public perception that he is elitist or snobbish.

Rep. Carol Lopez of Yacap party-list yesterday said Roxas’ choice of a vice-presidential running mate would play a key role in the grassroots campaign to bring the Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer closer to the masses, as he did in 2004 when he topped the senatorial election as “Mr. Palengke.”

“He wants to get a VP who’d fit the kind of campaign he has in mind. He wants to reach out to the grassroots level, man-to-man. He wants people to get to know the real him—not snobbish, not elitist, not high and mighty,” Lopez said in a text message.

Sen. Grace Poe is No. 1 on Roxas’ list of potential running mates but the front-runner in the presidential polls is believed to be gunning for the top post.

Roxas and the LP are also considering Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto as his running mate.

‘Children of Mar’

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. said that while the LP wanted Poe, “it would be best if the party would open its options regarding its vice-presidential candidate.”

Tupas said President Aquino remained in touch with Poe but Lopez said Roxas himself could initiate a meeting with Poe, as they were contacting each other through text messages.

Lopez and several LP members in the House of Representatives have “embraced” Roxas as a sort of father figure.

“We call ourselves ‘children of Mar’ to show that he has a connection with ordinary people. We respect him like a father because he is a straight shooter,” Lopez said.

Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas of the LP said a candidate’s origins should not be an issue in the elections.

“A person may be born poor, an orphan or rich. In the end, where you come from will not matter as much as what [you do with [your] life. Because ultimately, it is what you do that defines you as a person,” he said.