Mar: I accept the challenge

MANILA, Philippines - Nearly six years ago, Manuel Roxas II announced at Club Filipino that he was forgoing his dream of becoming president and giving way to the only son of Corazon and Benigno Aquino Jr.

At the same venue yesterday, President Aquino finally announced that he preferred Roxas to succeed him in 2016.

An emotional Roxas accepted Aquino’s endorsement, saying, “Our fight is still on. I am Mar Roxas, I accept the challenge posed by our bosses: to continue, widen and fight for the straight path.”

“In all humility I thank you (Aquino) and our bosses. I will never ever go astray from the straight path,” Roxas vowed. “I will give my all; I will not leave anything for myself. I will leave everything on the floor for this fight.”

Roxas said the fight was not about him and Aquino but daang matuwid or the straight path and the dreams of the Filipino people. 

“As the President said, it is worth fighting for. It is worth sacrificing for – and dying for if need be. The straight path transcends me and P-Noy; it is a Filipino ideal that has been there long before we were born, and will remain long after we are gone. We are being challenged by history to live up to this principle, to continue our journey, to fight for our dreams as a race,” Roxas said.

“I owe the Filipino as much; and I owe as much to you, Mr. President. I have never met a President who sacrificed so much for the country. I have never met a President who has been able to inspire so much confidence. You led by example of what we believe in; you showed what we could achieve with the use of political will, principles and holding on to what is right, no matter how strong the opponent was,” he said.

Roxas turned emotional several times during his acceptance speech, as did members of his family who were present to support his candidacy.

He arrived at Club Filipino with his wife, broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, ahead of the President and greeted LP officials and other well-wishers.

His mother Judy wiped tears as he mentioned his late brother, Gerardo Jr. or Dinggoy, namesake of their late father and the supposed inheritor of their public life.

Roxas said it was in Club Filipino where he first affirmed it should be country above self when he gave way to Aquino. 

Roxas recalled he and Aquino talked in 2009 and they agreed to set aside personal interests as the President told him he could not turn his back on what his parents started, referring to democracy icons, the late former President Corazon Aquino and the martyred former senator Ninoy Aquino.

“With this endorsement, I feel that you are passing on to me what they have fought for,” Roxas said, choking with emotion and then joking that he tears up easily.

Roxas said it was a huge honor to be chosen by the President.

“…and I swear to you now: I will not tarnish their name. And more so, I won’t tarnish your name that you also put at stake now with your endorsement,” Roxas said.

He added Aquino was also passing on to him the dreams and strength of the 100 million Filipinos.

Roxas vowed not to waste the trust of every Filipino in him.

If his brother did not pass away in 1993, Roxas said he would not have entered politics. But then the family’s legacy in public service, to put country above self, had to be continued and he could not turn his back on it.

“I had to do justice to what I had been taught, and to what I knew in my heart was right. I accepted the responsibility,” he said.

Roxas said this was the start of his career in government and through the years he learned the many challenges that went with it.

“I wish for the Filipino people only what I would wish for myself. After all, who are we if not our dreams?” Roxas stressed.

Roxas said the people had seen in the past five years that dreams could be achieved as long as the government remained true to its commitment and in fulfilling its duties.

He described the Aquino government as fast, smart and which could immediately respond to people’s needs.

“Professional, not transactional. We leave nothing to chance. We deal with the systematic way of attaining our goals – a government that is answerable for our bosses, for the people that gave us our mandate to serve with greatness,” he said.

Roxas said this the administration had started under the straight path policy.

“P-Noy allowed us to imagine again what the Filipino is capable of,” Roxas said, noting the dreams of people, from as basic as food on the table to a fair justice system.

Roxas said Filipinos – strong enough to fight a dictator and abuses, resilient amid disasters and hardships, inherently good and hospitable – deserved an honest government.

“We are a serious people who are serious with our dreams, who have just had a taste of what serious, selfless leadership can achieve,” he said.  

Roxas gave way to Aquino in 2009 to be the LP’s standard bearer. He became his running mate instead, but lost to Vice President Jejomar Binay despite strong showing in surveys for a sustained period during the campaign until the last few weeks in the May 2010 elections.

They promised not to steal and launched the battle cry – “walang mahirap pag walang corrupt” (there would be no poor if there were no corrupt) – to become the antithesis of the past administration.

They now seek continuity of what they have achieved so far and Aquino, in his last State of the Nation Address, believes the 2016 elections would be a referendum for what they have started under the daang matuwid policy.

The best candidate

During the gathering at the Cory C. Aquino Kalayaan Hall of the historic Club Filipino, the President said that in his search for the candidate to anoint, he spoke to those whom he believed could pursue the straight path, as well as to many other sectors.

“I interviewed three people who, in my view, are allies in pursuing the straight path. The ideal situation is for those who still need experience to have the opportunity to have their skills and talents fully develop, and to understand all that is required of a leader. In my view, these three people could form a truly formidable team,” Aquino said.

“At this point in time, success has eluded us in this endeavor. We reached an understanding; it seems like we have similar goals, but our means of achieving those goals are not exactly attuned to one another’s,” he added.

But Aquino said the people would know that what was at stake was far too important to leave to chance.

“Perhaps there are those who think: maybe others can continue what we have started. Maybe others can hold the corrupt accountable. Maybe others can continue the upward trajectory of the economy and widen the coverage of social services. Maybe others will stay on the straight path,” he said.

“For my part: Why must we allow ourselves to be attracted to ‘maybe,’ when we can be certain? Someone who, we’re certain, is more than capable; someone, we’re certain, who has no Boss other than the Filipino people; who, we’re certain, owes no debt of gratitude to any other; someone, we’re certain, who has no interest other than country before self. We will go with whom we can be certain will continue the straight path. And I believe that person is none other than Mar Roxas,” the President declared to the loud cheers of the crowd.

Continuity

“We are back here in this hall, which stands as a testament to all we have gone through together – those were the days when (former senator) Joker Arroyo said we can all fit into a Volkswagen Beetle. Even today, we can all still fit into many Volkswagen Beetles. Because we are understanding people, if you want to come with us, we will find you a place in one of these Volkswagen Beetles,” Aquino said.

LP was indeed underestimated by critics at that time despite the high ratings in surveys of Aquino, as they doubted if they could sustain a campaign with funds running dry, being a small party.

“We gather today in Kalayaan Hall in Club Filipino, a private establishment that has been part of many significant moments in our history. This is where my mother was sworn in—where she took an oath to begin fulfilling the promise of EDSA. To those who have, for so long, treaded the straight path with us, you might also remember that this is where I first said: The Filipino can hope once more. Now, I stand here with the Liberal Party, and with other groups... We have assembled here to talk about the next chapter in our journey along the straight path,” Aquino said.

Roxas announced his decision to give way to Aquino in Club Filipino and Aquino declared his candidacy in the same venue.

Competence and integrity

“It is clear who, of all the choices, deserves to be our next leader. And if his numbers are low at this point in time, it only means that we need to do even more to make him known to all. Again, we are being called to prove that ‘the Filipino is worth fighting for.’ Because what is truly important, we have to work for. We have to fight for,” Aquino said.

“To my bosses, I tell you today: in my opinion, the one who has shown exemplary work and true integrity, the one fully ready to continue the straight path, is none other than Mar Roxas,” he said.

In his remaining time in office, Aquino said his two major obligations were to ensure clean and peaceful elections and choose a good successor.

“I have said this before: Some people were advising me to extend my time in office to make certain that all that we have achieved will not go to waste. During the SONA, I explained why I disagreed with them: I do not wish to open the possibility for an individual to stay in power their whole life, whilst only looking out for their own selfish interests. This is no theory; it is already part of our history,” the President said. 

“There are also some who advised me not to endorse a candidate, and remain a friend to all. That seems like the wrong thing to do,” he said.

With the difficulties of the job as pointed out by one supporter in a text message, Aquino said he did feel it was his responsibility to choose a successor so their efforts would not be wasted, even as his vote would only be one among many other Filipinos.

Aquino cited the track record of Roxas as the one who brought the business process outsourcing industry to new heights.

The industry flourished in the Philippines, from having 2,400 employees in 2000 to an P18.9-billion industry, employing over one million people in 2014. 

“What most of you don’t know: Cubao was one of the last places to join in the growth of the industry, because Mar forbade his family to apply in the ecozones. Let me emphasize: His own family, who have long been businessmen, he convinced not to take part in an initiative he began as a government official. Here, and in many other instances, the integrity of Mar Roxas is clear,” Aquino said.

Roxas served as congressman, trade and industry secretary under the Estrada and Arroyo administrations, senator and then secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“In my experience, I know that, whatever orders are given Mar, he will not leave until the situation is stable. Whether in Zamboanga, Bohol or Leyte, even when communication has been cut off because of (Typhoon) Yolanda, I know that everything is in good hands and that he does not need to wait for orders, just to ensure that all needs are met,” Aquino said.

“Let me remind everyone: he did not go to these places on vacation. He was there at a time of crisis; he needed to ensure that all those in the evacuation centers would be able to eat, and that all other immediate needs were met. When we went to Zamboanga, for example, even soap had to be rationed because, should we happen to run out, all the stores were closed. We ended up creating a cottage industry of laundry persons, because there were some of us who thought that we would only be there overnight and consequently failed to bring enough clothes,” he added.

What was puzzling to them, Aquino said, was that in spite of everything that Roxas had done and his sacrifices, “it’s as if there’s an entire industry dedicated to bringing him down.”

In Leyte, Aquino said all that Roxas wanted was to follow the rules but the people that he was talking to, all of whom just wanted to engage in politics, even edited a video just to ruin his name. 

Another example was when Roxas chose to ride a motorcycle because roads were not traversible by cars to reach areas in need of assistance, he was even criticized when he slipped.

“And I wonder: is this part of the job description of a good leader – that, even when you exert all effort to do good, those in opposition will only see the bad? What so many don’t know is that at night, when the media’s asleep, Mar himself is the one at the wheel, driving around communities to check on whatever else needed to be done,” he said.

Aquino said they were not comfortable with boasting of their achievements and this perhaps could be the reason why so many people failed to see everything Roxas had done or to recognize his true character.

“That is the fate of those focused on true change, instead of on photo-ops and on putting their names and faces on novelty items. For my part: the triumphs of one person do not vanish into thin air, just because he does not broadcast them. And in choosing, I, like you, do not consider those who are clearly credit mongers, and those who have clearly strayed from the straight path,” Aquino said.

Aquino said during his first campaign, whenever he went around Tarlac, there were so many areas that seemed to make no progress since the 1960s, during the time when his father was governor.

“I asked, where is growth? Why are things like this? This is likely the result of what we call traditional politics: the work of politicians who seem to want to keep our countrymen in dire need, so that they will be approached for everything – from food and medicine, up to weddings, baptisms or wakes. These, in turn, are the debts of gratitude they rely on during election season, so that they can perpetuate the poverty of the many, and the growing wealth of the few,” Aquino said.

“That is why, in the coming elections, the question is: who should we support? Those who will continue along the straight path and fully break the system of patronage, or those who are always looking for a way to bring us back to the cycle of corruption and poverty?” he asked.

Aquino called on voters to examine what candidates had done; “the longer their experience, the better, because it is in their experience that we will see evidence of their being true and excellent partners along the straight path.”

Support

Local officials have expressed their support for Roxas.

“There is no doubt about Secretary Roxas’ integrity, character, qualifications and commitment to continue the daang matuwid governance, which had already resulted to higher growth rate and faster economic progress. Because of the daang matuwid, we also earned the confidence of foreign and local investors and respected financial institutions all over the world,” Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said.

Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are supporting President Aquino’s endorsement of Roxas as his preferred successor.

“We are supporting P-Noy’s choice of Secretary Mar,” ARRM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said.

“We owe the numerous development and poverty alleviation projects in our region to President Aquino. He has extended to the region the financial support it needs,” he added.

Rep. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar said Aquino’s endorsement “is expected to propel the candidacy of Roxas to greater heights as it will define the battle lines between continuity and uncertainty.”

“The President’s decision to anoint him clearly shows that Secretary Roxas is highly qualified because of his integrity and selflessness,” he said.

Former senator Panfilo Lacson said President Aquino made a good choice in Roxas for the presidential elections in 2016.

Lacson said Roxas is qualified to be president of the country. “If we go by his credentials like his educational attainment and extensive experience in the executive and legislative branches of government,” he added.

Lacson also pointed out Roxas has not really experienced being on the saddle by himself, making his own decisions without seeking guidance from superiors.

“I can only hope and pray that his good attributes can be translated into positive action if and when he becomes the next leader, if only for the sake of our beloved country,” the former senator said.

Former Albay congressman Edcel Lagman also supported Aquino’s choice of Roxas.

“I was with Mar in the 9th and 10th Congresses. I find him hardworking, competent, honest and earnest. His vast experience as a legislator, both as representative and senator, and as an executive in the Cabinet of two administrations, has extensively prepared him for the presidency,” Lagman said.

“He has an enviable political pedigree. I am certain the voters will truly appreciate these sterling qualities, and will give him the mandate. Mar’s anointment by the President will help catapult him in the ratings. An outgoing President’s residual political power and influence cannot be underestimated,” he said.

Apparently alluding to Sen. Grace Poe, daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., Lagman said sheer popularity should never be a qualification for public office.

“The ‘box office’ should neither be equated with nor supplant the polling precinct. Perceived ‘electability’ is a poor substitute for qualification and experience,” he added.

“The problems of the country cannot be solved by one who may be buoyed only by a popularity bubble. Our country needs a steward equal to the requisite standards and compelling demands of the highest public office,” Lagman stressed. 

With its overseer Roxas set to run in the presidential elections next year, the Philippine National Police will remain apolitical, non-partisan and professional, national police spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said.

“We will remain focused on our mission to enforce the law and maintain peace and order,” Mayor said.  – Jess Diaz, Danny Dangcalan, Cecille Suerte Felipe