Daang matuwid only way to move forward – Roxas

MANILA, Philippines – Despite his sluggish survey ratings, administration presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II will continue treading daang matuwid (straight path), which he said was the only way for the country to move forward.

Addressing a gathering of supporters and local officials from Northern Luzon in Abra, Roxas said daang matuwid is a “step by step process to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors” in the country.

“Let’s snatch our country away from the abusers, thieves and return it to decent Filipinos like each one of you,” Roxas told his supporters in Filipino.

“Our trust in each other rests on the foundation set in the past years by the straight path where we’ve started the fight against corruption,” he said.

“If there’s anything lacking, we’ll fill them; if there were mistakes, we’ll correct them.”

Roxas said the goal of his administration if elected is to expand the economic opportunities of provinces like Abra, Ilocos Sur and La Union through more investments in the agriculture sector.

Under the “Bukid Revolution,” Roxas said the government would ensure cheap credit and the installation of more post-harvest and post-catch facilities for farmers and fisherfolk as well as the construction of more farm-to-market roads.

Malacañang also believes the tandem of Roxas and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo would emerge victorious and will prevail in the end.

“Secretary Roxas and Representative Robredo have been moving continuously since the start of the campaign and continue to solidify their support base,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

“We trust that our bosses – the Filipino people – will choose wisely and well on election day and will opt for continuity of good governance that will ensure the attainment of inclusive growth and the fulfillment of our nation’s aspirations,” he added.    

Daang Matuwid coalition spokesman Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez said Roxas remains focused on treading the right path to victory.

“What is clear in the (latest) survey is the fight remains close. We will continue to relay our message to the voters,” he said.

In the second leg of the presidential debates last Sunday, Roxas showed he is among the presidential candidates who has the clearest vision of where he would bring the country, Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said the positive reaction of the public on Roxas’ performance during last Sunday’s debate would be reflected in the next survey.

“We remain confident that in the most important survey, the elections on May 9, Mar and Leni would be victorious,” he added.

Roxas, for his part, believes allies in local governments would boost his candidacy.

Roxas made the statement as more members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) have expressed their support for him.

A senior lawmaker said the newest members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Reps. Leopoldo Bataoil and Marlyn Primicias Agabas of the second and sixth districts of Pangasinan, respectively, have opted to support Roxas.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino has joined the province’s two lawmakers in supporting Roxas.

“This only proves that NPC is really not solid for Sen. Grace Poe,” he said.

NPC is identified with billionaire businessman and San Miguel Corp. (SMC) chairman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.

Poe has been criticized for defending Cojuangco on the issue involving more than P70 billion in coconut levy collections during the Marcos era and for using SMC planes in her campaign.

Barzaga noted that before the election campaign started, at least 11 NPC lawmakers met with Roxas and promised to support him.

He said more politicians are deciding to support Roxas “because his message of continuing with daang matuwid good governance platform resonates across political boundaries.”

“They don’t want the reforms and economic growth the administration has achieved to go to waste. It’s Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo who can build on these accomplishments. Their opponents are just making empty promises to win votes,” he said.

Barzaga, who belongs to the National Unity Party (NUP), cited himself as an example.

He said he decided to go for the ticket of Roxas and Robredo because of its “promise of continuity of reforms and economic advancement.”

Allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also welcomed Roxas and his team during their campaign in Pampanga.

Roxas and his partymates were welcomed by local officials led by Gov. Lilia Pineda, a known political ally of Arroyo.  – With Jess Diaz, Alexis Romero, Delon Porcalla