Mar: We will be victorious

NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur, Philippines – “We will be victorious in the May 9 elections.”

Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel Roxas II expressed confidence he can beat presidential frontrunner Rodrigo Duterte, warning that the Davao City mayor would pave the way for the return of dictatorship in the country.

“Malalagpasan natin siya (We will overtake him),” Roxas said.

Roxas issued the statement even as the latest surveys of Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations showed Duterte ahead of the field by around 11 percentage points, which is estimated to be equivalent to four million votes.

In the vice presidential race, Roxas’ runningmate Leni Robredo is faring better, with the latest polls putting her on top and slightly ahead of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late dictator. 

“In a few days, we’re going to cast our votes. We’re going to make a crucial decision because we’re not deciding on candidates – we’re deciding on our future and the future of our children,” Roxas told a campaign rally here.

“I know that with your help and your support, we will be victorious in the May 9 elections,” he added. 

He said he sees the elections on Monday as a two-cornered fight between him and Duterte for the presidency, and between Robredo and Marcos in the vice presidential race.

“Roxas-Robredo for democracy and for clean and transparent government, or Duterte-Marcos for the return of martial law and for the return of violence. That’s the choice our countrymen are faced with on Monday,” Roxas said.

“I have faith that our countrymen will make the wise choice for a clean government,” he added. “I can look at you straight in the eye, Leni and I won’t let you down. This is the good fight.”

Roxas noted that last year, many thought that he and Robredo would not have any chance at all in winning the elections. But as people began to scrutinize the character of their rivals, they realized the tandem can secure their future and those of their children.

“Our programs are clear and simple because they are focused on you and your children’s security, health and prosperity,” he added.

He urged his supporters to “campaign for Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo with your neighbors, family and friends because we need to catch up with some percentages (in the surveys).” 

He cited the great strides under the administration that must be continued and expanded such as the conditional cash transfer program, the infrastructure projects and expansion of health insurance.

Roxas and Robredo made their last provincial sorties on Wednesday and Thursday in the Bicol region, particularly in Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay and Camarines Sur. 

President Aquino joined the campaign and asked Filipinos to vote for Roxas and Robredo, both of whom have long track records of public service that have not been tarnished by any corruption issue.

Aquino: Voting Mar, Leni secures future

Aquino called on Bicolanos to vote Roxas and Robredo to ensure the continuity of the programs and gains started by his administration.

In a speech during LP’s rally in Ligao City, Albay province on Thursday afternoon, the President cited the administration’s reform programs that helped improve the lives of people across the country.

Aquino cited the province’s allocation of P21.8 billion for infrastructure projects, which include the Yawa Bridge widening, the newly installed Tibu Pumping Station, farm-to-market roads, 2,577 new classrooms and the electrification of 39 sitios.

He also cited the 96 million members of PhilHealth, of which 1.8 million are from Albay. More than 77,000 households in Bicol are also among the 4.6 million beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program of the national government.

“Let us try to understand it. How did we accomplish all of these things? The reason is careful spending of public funds and economic growth,” Aquino said.

He reminded voters to consider the gains of good governance when they cast their ballots on May 9.

“It is not enough to vote for Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo. We need to campaign for them to ensure that we would be the majority who would decide what would be our future,” the President added.

Albay Vice Gov. Harold Imperial, Albay 3rd district Rep. Fernando Gonzalez and Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua were present during the LP rally. - Paolo, Romero Alexis Romero, Delon Porcalla, Prinz Magtulis