Estrada: Roxas ‘proven incorruptible, qualified’

Will Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II make a good President?

Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada says Roxas is “proven incorruptible and qualified” to run for president in the 2016 elections.

“Cabinet Secretary ko dati si Mar Roxas at maganda naman ang performance niya,” Estrada said in a radio interview on Friday.

Roxas served during the Estrada administration as secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry from 2000 to 2003 before he became a senator.

Though they belong to rival political parties, Estrada has kind words for Roxas, saying the interior secretary has a “good breeding.”

“Maganda naman ang breeding niyan. Yung lolo niya naging presidente. Yung ama niya, si Gerry Roxas, magaling na senador, at saka proven na incorruptible at qualified naman,” he said.

In 2010, Roxas ran as vice president for the ruling Liberal Party against then Mayor Jejomar Binay who ran under Estrada.

On Friday, Roxas was officially endorsed by President Benigno Aquino III as the standard-bearer of LP and its coalitions at Club Filipino in San Juan City.

In response to the President’s endorsement, Roxas said he was ready to accept the challenge to continue Aquino’s “daang matuwid (straight path)” governance.

“I am Mar Roxas; I accept the challenge of our bosses,” he said.

Estrada said he had not yet decided whom to support in next year’s elections.

“Magdedesisyon din ako. Titingnan ko kung sino ang makakatulong sa higit na nakakarami,” he said.

Estrada is reportedly torn between Binay and Sen. Grace Poe.

While Binay has long declared his political ambitions, Poe is yet to announce her decision.

With both Binay and Poe close to him, Estrada said he would eventually decide based on their government platforms.

Asked if he would run for president in 2016, Estrada said that for now, he wanted to seek reelection as mayor of Manila.

“Sa ngayon hindi. Marami pa tayong gagawin dito sa lungsod ng Maynila,” he said.

But he said that he remained open to the possibility of running for president, citing it was “providential and destiny.”

“Pero di natin malaman e. Ang pagkapangulo ay providential, destiny ’yan,” he said.

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