Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas at Club Filipino in San Juan City. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net
“I will win because I’m not corrupt and I don’t act like a dictator,” said presidential candidate Mar Roxas before hundreds of supporters and allies of the Liberal Party in a show of force for the administration bets on Thursday.
“Mananalo tayo dahil hindi tayo corrupt. Mananalo tayo dahil hindi tayo astang diktador. Mananalo tayo dahil tayo ay Pilipino,” Roxas said as the crowd erupted in resounding cheers and applause.
This was an apparent dig at Roxas’ friend-turned-tormentor Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who promises an iron-fist approach to fighting crime and drugs.
READ: Duterte a threat to democracy – Roxas
The LP standard-bearer, who is currently lagging behind his closest rivals in surveys, delivered the speech in the same hall at Club Filipino in San Juan City where he declared his presidential bid.
At one point during his speech, Roxas voice broke when he acknowledged his supporters. He told them, “Proud ako na magkakasama tayo. Proud ako na pinaglalaban natin ang tama at disente.”
After presenting his platforms, Roxas said: “The best is yet to come.” The people then cheered “Roxas na! Roxas na!”
As he cited the gains of the present administration, Roxas confidently said, “Mananalo tayo dahil habang nangnangako pa lang sila (other candidates), nagtatrabaho na tayo.”
“Lahat tayo dito ang Daang Matuwid. Lahat tayo ay mga disenteng Pilipino. Kaya tayo ay mananalo,” he ended.
READ: Roxas-Duterte word war rages
The LP gathering was attended by President Benigno Aquino III, who campaigned for Roxas in his speech, and his cabinet secretaries.
The senatorial candidates of the “Daang Matuwid” coalition, LP district representatives, governors, mayors and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) were also present. JE