Lewd show spells trouble for Roxas, says ex-lawmaker

Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY—The Liberal Party (LP) lewd show fiasco could spell serious trouble for the presidential ambition of former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, according to former lawmaker and activist Walden Bello.

“It’s not exactly at the level of the asteroid crash that killed the dinosaurs 60 million years ago but it is likely to contribute to sinking Roxas’ already troubled presidential bid,’’ the resigned Akbayan representative said in an online interview.

The moral standard of the ruling political party has been put into question after the oath-taking of new party members in Santa Cruz, Laguna province, turned into a stag party.

The oath-taking ceremony coincided with the 58th birthday party of Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao.

Roxas, who administered the oath-taking, quickly distanced himself from the scandal by claiming that he did not watch the supposedly “vulgar” performance of the sexy dance group Playgirls.

He was already in another part of the oath-taking venue when the show was held.

The LP presidential candidate has also condemned the ribald show and announced that the party is conducting a thorough investigation.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino, a senatorial hopeful seeking to be included in the LP slate, allegedly brought the sexy dancers to the event as a “birthday gift” to Agarao.

Tolentino has denied sponsoring the show.

But Bello believed Roxas would still suffer a public backlash no matter how much he distanced himself from the scandal.

“Mar must be muttering to himself, with friends like these, who needs enemies? And people must be asking, ‘Mar, tell me who your friends are, and we’ll tell you who you are,’” Bello said.