Mar: By May, I’ll be flavor of the month

MANILA, Philippines – Despite lagging in the surveys, Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II hopes he will be the voters’ flavor of the month come May.

Roxas, who has been placing third or fourth in pre-election surveys, said there are still three more weeks in the campaign.

“At the start of the campaign in February, the flavor of the month was (Vice President Jejomar) Binay. When March came, he was no longer the flavor of the month, it was Senator (Grace) Poe. In April, it was not Grace anymore, it’s (Davao City Mayor Rodrigo) Duterte. But this is just a flash in the pan. With all he’s been saying, will he still be the flavor of the month?” Roxas told reporters in Puerto Princesa, Palawan yesterday.

Roxas said the risk of being the topnotcher in the surveys is that the candidate would be closely scrutinized by the electorate and “they’ll see you for who you truly are.” 

He said Duterte will be “weighed by the voters and will be found wanting.”

“I’m confident that come May, we’ll be the flavor of the month,” Roxas said, adding voters have known him for a long time so “it was natural for them to look at the other candidates first.”

He said the gap between the topnotcher in the presidential surveys and the one in fourth place is just 10 percentage points or even lower, if the statistical margin of error will be considered.

Roxas said the administration machinery would help deliver the votes for him and his runningmate, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

Noy: Work double time

President Aquino urged administration supporters to keep their eye on the ball and work double time during the campaign’s homestretch to ensure the victory of the LP candidates on May 9.

“Who can possibly risk what we worked hard for? I suppose no one in this hall, but in a democracy, the majority decides for everybody. We may lose if we become idle, but not because our message is wrong, not because what we did what was wrong,” Aquino said during a campaign rally in Meycauayan City, Bulacan.

Aquino warned voters to be wary of other candidates making  all kinds of promises this election season.

The President pitched for Roxas and Robredo, saying they were fit to be the nation’s top leaders because of their integrity, ability and love for country before self.

Aquino said Roxas had reduced the crime rate when he was interior and local government secretary and thus there is no need to make false promises.

Kris joins LP campaign

The President’s youngest sister, popular TV host-actress Kris Aquino, joined him in campaigning for Roxas and  Robredo.

It was the first time for Kris to come out and campaign for the administration candidates. She said she was doing it for her children and their future. 

Kris appealed to voters support Roxas and Robredo.

In Dagupan City, senatorial candidate Mark Lapid said the Roxas-Robredo win in the May 9 polls is “feasible and doable.”

Lapid said the people acknowledged the achievements of the administration’s daang matuwid (straight path).

Meanwhile, Aika Robredo said more people have began to know her mother, and this led to her steady rise in the surveys.

Unlike the other male vice presidential candidates, Aika said her mother “radiates a different kind of empathy that comes from within.”

“She knows what the poor people are going through,” she added.

Pangasinan 4th district Rep. Gina de Venecia said the Roxas-Robredo tandem is a perfect combination.

Green group backs Mar

Meanwhile, the country’s largest environmental watchdog group threw its support behind Roxas.

The 444,000-strong Noble Blue Falcons International (NBFI) said President Aquino’s straight path policy should be continued to curb corruption as well as  illegal logging, irresponsible mining, black sand mining, illegal quarrying and even forest fires caused by kaingin or slash-and-burn farming.

Founded on March 19, 1996, the NBFI is the biggest peoples’ organization in the country in terms of manpower. 

Joseph Beatriz Usita, NBFI chairman, said the country’s ills would not be cured unless the people elect a competent, honest and efficient leader.

Usita said Roxas epitomizes these characteristics, particularly with the continuing threat of climate change.

Their group belied accusations that Roxas is an inefficient leader, particularly with regard to the government’s disaster, rescue and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

“We should know because our team was there and we witnessed how the secretary risked his life and personally spearheaded government efforts on rescue, security, safety and food assistance with other government agencies and volunteer organizations,” Usita said.

He added Roxas has a good track record in public service, being a  former trade and industry secretary, senator and Cabinet secretary. – With Aurea Calica, Eva Visperas, Manny Galvez