THEY waited and listened.
This was what Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas observed during the convention of some 500 members of the National Unity Party in an upscale hotel in Pasay City on Monday.
Roxas, who was the last to speak in the gathering, delivered a speech in a jam-packed hall in a bid to convince the NUP lawmakers and local officials to support his presidential run in the 2016 elections.
“Natutuwa ako na punung-puno ang hall sa oras na ito kasi kung nakumbinse na sila nung naunang nagsalita, umalis na sila, ‘di ba kasama ng kandidato nila. Kaya maganda ang hudyat na ito,” Roxas told reporters in an ambush interview.
In his speech, Roxas expressed gratitude to the NUP members, whom he had earlier met last August, for giving him a chance to share his government platform.
“Nagpapasalamat ako na nandito pa rin kayo at sa kahit anong paraan ay pinapahiwatig ninyo, pinaparamdam ninyo na ‘ano kaya ang sasabihin ni Mar at baka doon kami nakumbinse sa kung saan kami papanig sa darating na halalan,'” he said.
Before Roxas, NUP members heard the programs and promises of Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Bongbong Marcos for the country if they get elected to higher office next year.
Both Binay and Marcos criticized the “vindictive and vengeful” administration of President Aquino.
NUP’s support for Daang Matuwid
Roxas made no mention of the administration critics in his speech. Instead, he refreshed the memory of the NUP members when they supported the projects of “Daang Matuwid.”
The administration projects Roxas mentioned were the Bottom-Up Budgeting, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and the increase of sin taxes to provide more funds to PhilHealth and Department of Health.
He added that one of the trademarks of Aquino’s straight path is respecting one’s party.
“Pagbibigay respeto sa bawat partido na kung saan kayo mismo, kayo mismo makakapagsabi na hindi inargabyado, hindi napagpilian, hindi ni-raid, hindi kahit anong paraan pinerwisyo ang NUP nitong limang taon na pamumuno ni Pangulong PNoy,” said Roxas, drawing claps from the audience.
Not about power
Roxas then asked the NUP members to give their full support for the continuation of the administration’s Daang Matuwid.
“This is not just about power. This is not just about ego. This is not just about kung sino ang hari-hari. This is also about our dream, our hopes na alam kong nasasapuso ng bawat isang lingkod bayan dito sa convention ninyong ito,” said Roxas.
“Kaya pakiusap po namin. Sama-sama, tulong-tulong po tayo. Ipagpatuloy natin ang ating magandang nasimulan na, ipagpatuloy po natin ang DM na kinabahagian po ninyo nitong nakaraang limang taon. Patibayin natin, palawakin natin, nang maging kaginha-ginhawa ang ating pagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan.”
The NUP is part of the administration coalition led by the Liberal Party.
NUP president and Bataan district Representative Albert Garcia said being allies with LP “could be a factor” in choosing whom to support in 2016. Julliane Love de Jesus