Never say die:  Roxas’ supporters urge him to run in 2022

Liberal Party presidential candidate Mar Roxas concedes to rival Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on May 10, 2016. Lyn Rillon/INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA — Mar in 2022?

Defeated administration presidential candidate Mar Roxas showed up at the thanksgiving party for his supporters at the Liberal Party (LP) headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City, Wednesday night.

In his first public appearance since the May 9 balloting, Roxas expressed gratitude for his supporters’ continued interest in pursuing the LP’s reform agenda.

His running mate, Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, her three daughters and Senator-elect Leila de Lima also attended the gathering.

“Are you not tired from the campaign? Will the fight continue?” a smiling Roxas said to the loud cheers of some 2,000 of his followers.

“I noticed that you are still wearing yellow shirts and you’re still flashing the ‘Laban’ sign,” he said. “This is our uniform. I don’t own this. Leni does not own this. It belongs to the Filipino people.”

Some of those in the crowd chanted “Mar Roxas! Mar Roxas” as he shared his experiences during the grueling three-month campaign period.

The people then started cheering “2022! 2022!” as if egging him on to again seek the presidency in the 2022 general elections.

“Don’t be like that,” he told the audience as he assured them that “I will not go away.”

“That’s the reality of the elections. This is what democracy is about,” Roxas said. “That’s what we’re celebrating in this thanksgiving (party). We still have democracy. We can still stand up here and say what we want.”

Roxas was in his signature yellow polo as he gamely posed for selfies with his supporters who swarmed around him.

He also briefly helped prepare hamburgers for the people who had lined up at the various food stalls during the street party.  SFM