Roxas was always there, risking his life–Aquino
DAVAO CITY, Philippines–Why does Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II have President Benigno Aquino III’s back?
Not only because Roxas sacrificed his political ambitions for Aquino but the President said what sets Roxas apart from other aspiring presidents is that he “risked his life” making sure that the situation normalizes in crisis-struck areas.
Citing examples, Aquino praised Roxas for his presence and his prompt response to the standoff in Zamboanga in September 2013, to the aftermath of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Visayas and the deadly super typhoon Yolanda in October and November, respectively in the same year.
“Ano ba ang pinagkaiba ni Mar sa mga ibang masasabi nating naghahangad ng puwesto? Si Mar ho nagbabad. Bago dumating si Yolanda, nandoon na hanggang nakalma ang sitwasyon, hanggang napanumbalik ‘yung mga tinatawag basic services tulad ng tubig, tulad ng kuryente,” Aquino said during a speech in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon.
(How does Mar differ from those who we can say are vying for higher position? Mar made his presence felt. Before Yolanda came, he was there until the situation was calm, until basic services were brought back like water [and] electricity.)
Article continues after this advertisementAfter a whirlwind trip in Mindanao that covered Misamis Oriental and Davao del Norte, Aquino joined Roxas in an another “Gathering of Friends” organized by the Liberal Party at SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier in Davao City. The mood was festive in and out of the hall where around 2,000 yellow-wearing individuals from different sectors gathered to show their support for LP standard-bearer in the upcoming 2016 elections.
Article continues after this advertisementMen and women whose cheeks are painted with a yellow ribbon played folk songs as they waited for Aquino and Roxas to arrive. Some supporters also took photos and selfies beside a Mar Roxas standee with a background that says “Ipadayon ang Daang Matuwid (Onward with the Straight Path).”
Also in his speech, Aquino said unlike other campaigning politicians, Roxas did not just bring relief goods to the disaster areas for mere publicity. “Hindi ho siya dumating, nagdala ng ilang pirasong relief goods, nagpalitrato, nagpa-video, para ipakita na ‘May malasakit ako’. (He didn’t go bringing few pieces of relief goods for the photo and video opportunities, to show his concern).”
But the President was quick to deny that his statement was meant to give someone a dig. “Wala akong pinapatamaan. Bato-bato sa langit na lang (I am not alluding to anyone. Go figure),” he said, making the crowd laugh.
“Sa kanyang trabaho bilang ating kalihim, ilang pagkakataon na isinugal niya ang buhay niya para totohanang matutukan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan kaagad-agad? Sa Zamboanga, noong krisis, nauna siya sa akin. Nauna na siya sa akin, nahuli pa siyang umalis sa akin. Ako labing-isang araw pong nandoon. Sinuog niya lahat ng lugar doon, pinuntahan ang mga nasunugan nating kababayan, dinamayan, nagdala ng relief, at hindi umalis hanggang na-normalize na po ‘yung sitwasyon doon,” said Aquino.
(In his work as [DILG] Secretary, how many times did he gamble his life to honestly focus on providing the needs of our people immediately? During the Zamboanga [siege] crisis, he was there ahead of me. He was there earlier and he left much later than me. I was there for 11 days. He went to all places. To those whose houses were burned down, he gave relief [goods], and he never left until the situation was normalized.)
“Tapos ng Zamboanga, papahinga nang konti? Hindi ho napahinga. Napunta ng Bohol at Cebu. Tuloy na naman ang kailangan na maisaayos ang ating mga komunidad na sinantala ng ating earthquake. Tapos nakapahinga na ho nang konti, mga one day, tapos ang dumating ay, di ba, si Yolanda naman,” he added.
(After Zamboanga, did he take a rest? He didn’t. He went to Bohol and Cebu. The need to fix our communities damaged by the earthquake went on. He was able to take a brief rest, for one day, then came, what else but [Super typhoon] Yolanda.)
Some of the cabinet secretaries were also present in the LP’s apparent show of force, including Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Presidential Assistant on Food Security Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles. Julliane Love de Jesus, INQUIRER.net, TVJ
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