Choose Team Daang Matuwid – Noy

MANILA, Philippines - Saying the straight path policy initiated by his administration should be continued, President Aquino yesterday presented the senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party (LP) for next year’s elections. 

During the proclamation of the “Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid (Coalition of the Straight Path)” at the Balay Expo Centro Building in Quezon City, Aquino also took a swipe at political opponents and called on the electorate to choose the straight path over those off track. 

The LP’s “Magic 12” is composed of Sens. Franklin Drilon, Ralph Recto and Teofisto Guingona III; former senators Panfilo Lacson and Francis Pangilinan; former secretaries Leila de Lima of the Department of Justice and Jericho Petilla of the Department of Energy, and Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Former Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority chief operating officer Mark Lapid, former Akbayan party-list representative Risa Hontiveros, Rep. Crescente Paez of the Coop-Natcco party-list and Nariman Ambolodto, an assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior of Local Government for Muslim affairs and special concerns, complete the ticket.

“Today, we introduce 12 individuals who we believe embody integrity, a willingness to sacrifice, and principle – individuals who, along with Mar and Leni, will continue to push for even more widespread reform in our society. They are the senatorial candidates of the Straight Path Coalition for 2016,” Aquino said, referring to presidential bet Mar Roxas and his running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

“Our intention is to gain even more allies, not just in the Senate, but also in the entire Congress and even in the other branch of government. I have always believed that the branches of government are like an orchestra. If we are in harmony with one another, does that not redound to better service for our bosses?” the President said.

LP’s standard bearer Mar Roxas, his running mate Rep. Robredo and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who was named campaign manager, were present during the proclamation.

Former senator Panfilo Lacson files his certificate of candidacy at the Comelec main office in Manila yesterday. KRIZ JOHN ROSALES  

The proclamation, originally set last Friday, was postponed to give Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista time to decide on whether to run for senator. Bautista has decided to seek reelection instead.

Boxing icon Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao was earlier rumored to be joining the LP slate, but Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said he decided to join another ticket. Erice did not elaborate.

Vice President Jejomar Binay had claimed Pacquiao gave assurance he would not leave the opposition party.

Expand and fight

“With Mar and Leni at its head, we have already finalized the forces that will continue, expand and fight for our bosses, the Filipino people,” the President added.

Aquino said he would lead the campaign for the “reelection of the straight path.”

He said he believes the campaign of LP candidates would be easy as it is clear the other candidates would only lead the nation astray.

“To those who keep their eyes and ears open, it will be very easy to choose – and these choices are standing before you today,” he said.

Aquino said the senatorial candidates of LP were chosen because of their readiness to continue the journey along the straight path.

“We guarantee we can achieve our collective hopes sooner rather than later. These people who will continue our work will start from a better and undoubtedly higher benchmark,” Aquino said, adding they are ready for their work at the Senate.

Empty promises

The President said the enemies of the straight path offer empty promises because they do not mention how these can be fulfilled.

He said these people wasted their opportunity to contribute to the solution of the problems when they were still “pretending to be on our side.”

“There are those who lie to our faces. I just shake my head whenever I hear the statements they make – as if they were not among those who oppressed us before,” he said.

“They are hoping that the Filipino people have become forgetful. It’s time to move on, they say. To that, my mother has always said: ‘reconciliation with justice’ is what is needed… How can we trust those who do not ask our forgiveness, and more than that, do not even see a reason to apologize?” he said.

Faces of the campaign

Aquino said Roxas and Robredo would be the “faces” of the campaign for the straight path’s referendum.

He said the LP has a tandem with “true record and a true platform.”

“We are on the side of principle and reform. We are the straight path,” he said.

“We saw this in 1986, when we put an end to a dictatorship; in 2010, when we chose to tread the straight path and destroy the cycle of fraud, theft and deception; and once again in 2013, when it became all the clearer to our opponents that Filipinos no longer want the old system back,” he said.

12-0 

Belmonte said he is optimistic the administration would achieve a 12-0 victory in the senatorial election.

“It is our hope they will sweep the Senate elections in 2016,” he said.

Meanwhile, Roxas announced Reps. Ibarra Gutierrez III of Akbayan party-list, Romero Quimbo of Marikina City and Erice as LP campaign spokesmen.

Leaving LP

As this developed, sources said Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez, LP chairman in his province and leader of the Visayan bloc in the House of Representatives, would leave the party to run for reelection. 

“He’s being harassed for allegedly not being as enthusiastic in campaigning for LP national candidates,” a lawmaker from the Visayas said. 

The LP had also stripped Benitez of his power to sign the certificates of nomination of the party’s candidates for the region.  – With Paolo Romero, Alexis Romero