Noynoy, Mar to unveil tandem

MANILA, Philippines - Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel “Mar” Roxas II are expected to announce their tandem for the 2010 elections tomorrow.

Aquino and Roxas said they would make the formal announcement at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, on the 37th anniversary of the declaration of martial law and on Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim celebration marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The announcement is expected to formalize the Liberal Party tandem, 20 days after Aquino announced his candidacy for the 2010 presidential elections.

“We want to make  sure we will never go back to those dark days,” Aquino said, referring to the martial law regime of Marcos.

Aquino made the announcement that he will run as president at the same place where his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, took her oath of office after leading a peaceful revolt that ousted strongman Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Aquino, the son of martyred former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., had vowed to continue the legacy of his parents.

Aquino had asked Roxas to be his running mate, but Roxas, who had withdrawn his presidential bid under the LP in favor of Aquino, said he would still think about it.

Recent surveys showed an Aquino-Roxas tandem could be a very strong combination, although their rivals are contesting the survey results.

In separate interviews over radio station dwIZ, both Aquino and Roxas were in high spirits as they confirmed tomorrow’s announcement of the LP’s vice presidential candidate.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances,” Aquino said the announcement would push through.

Aquino said he is comfortable with Roxas and expressed confidence that their partnership would be solid.

Roxas, for his part, said he had been talking to Aquino over the past few days.

Roxas said he was grateful for Aquino’s offer to be his running mate in the 2010 elections.

There had been reports that the LP was also considering Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as Aquino’s running mate, which is the reason why former President Joseph Estrada has scheduled a talk with Aquino.

Senators Francis Escudero of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and Francis Pangilinan, also of LP, were also reportedly being wooed to be Aquino’s vice president.

But Aquino clarified he was only discussing with Estrada the possibility of uniting the opposition and never mentioned any positions.

Roxas, on the other hand, said he was supporting Aquino all-out, especially in his fight for reforms.

He said that in their discussions, he decided to give way to Aquino without any deals or horse-trading.

Aquino said he was happy with the decision of Roxas and that he had admired him even more when he decided to withdraw from the presidential race for the sake of LP unity.

Aquino stressed he had not spoken with anyone else about being his running mate, and would do so only if Roxas would decline his offer and make it publicly.

“But I don’t think that would happen (Roxas’ turning down his offer). There is no need for me to talk to others because I have a party mate with the same platform. We are a good combination,” Aquino said.

Aquino said he is ready to talk with Estrada and listen to any advice coming from an elder statesman. “We are open to discussing everything,” he said.

He clarified the meeting with Estrada does not carry any condition, such as giving up his presidential bid.

Aquino vowed to make public any discussions he would have with Estrada.

He brushed aside criticisms against the surveys showing him and Roxas leading the presidential and vice presidential race.

Aquino said he could not understand why those who were topping them before are now attacking the credibility of the surveys.

Aquino and Roxas also vowed to be vigilant against sinister moves to derail elections in 2010, noting the announcement from the Department of Energy that power outages would be common occurrences during the elections next year.

A veteran lawmaker, on the other hand, urged Aquino to unite the LP first before hitting the road to campaign for the presidency.

“This is not to disparage the memory of the revered former President or stain the good name of the Aquinos, but we believe Noynoy must first unite his party before going to preach uniting the opposition ranks,” Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla said.

Padilla pointed to the faction within the LP headed by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza.

Padilla also advised Aquino to unite his clan and set an example of unity within his family.

Padilla was apparently referring to Aquino’s possible face off with his cousin, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, the presidential bet of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

This does not include the possibility that their uncle, former Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, would support another presidential bet under his Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Padilla also called on Aquino to resolve the issues surrounding the family-owned Hacienda Luisita. – Aurea Calica, Charlie Lagasca