Roxas on rivals: They were weighed but found lacking

They were weighed but found lacking.

This was how Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II described his rivals Sunday even as he claimed that he is fit to become the next president due to his unblemished record.

Speaking to members of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Roxas said while his opponents had topped previous pre-election surveys, their numbers eventually slid down because people saw their weaknesses.

“Today is May 1. It’s the month of Mar Roxas. They (rivals) had their turn,” Roxas said. 

“Tinimbang sila, pero kulang (They were weighed but found lacking),” he added.

Roxas, who ranked third in the latest polls on presidential bets, said Vice President Jejomar Binay topped the surveys in February but the public eventually learned of allegations of unexplained wealth.

He said Sen. Grace Poe dominated the March surveys but the voters saw her weaknesses and lack of capability.

“In April, (Davao City Mayor Rodrigo) Duterte was the leading candidate. I am just telling you the truth. People saw his personality and his foul language and now his dirty hands,” Roxas said referring to the mayor's alleged secret bank accounts.

Duterte, who initially denied the existence of the accounts at a Bank of the Philippine Islands branch in Pasig, has since acknowledged their existence but has denied that there is anything illegal about having them. He is sending a lawyer to meet with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who made the allegations, at the bank branch on Monday, supposedly to open the accounts anf put the issue to rest. 

“Weigh in on us. I won’t be afraid. I won’t be ashamed. You know the track record of Mar Roxas,” Roxas added.

Roxas said the most important aspect of a candidate is his personality.

“You can write or study platforms. You can craft or learn about programs. But personality defines who we are, whether we are with you or not, whether we run for president or not,” the LP standard bearer said.

“In my more than 20 years or service, my name has not been stained by anomalies,” he added.

Roxas, who has yet to top any presidential survey despite President Aquino’s endorsement, said he did what he could to create jobs and to serve the country. Critics have brought up problems with the Metro Rail Transit-3 line that they say he should have addressed while Transportation secretary and perceived shortcomings in the response and rehabilitation efforts after Typhoon Yolanda hit parts of the Visayas in 2013.

“I am not saying I am perfect. I am human. Humans are imperfect. I will be the first one to say that I am not perfect. But I did my best for you all the time and I served you wholeheartedly,” the presidential candidate said.