Mar vows to remain ‘positive contributor’ to government

MANILA, Philippines — Liberal Party senatorial candidate Mar Roxas said he would continue to be a “positive contributor” to the Duterte government even if he is with the opposition for the progress of the country.

He promised to push, if elected, for more laws that are beneficial to all Filipinos, particularly in the area of job creation.

“In my case, I have served different presidents in different capacities, some of whom are not my party-mates, but my contribution is always positive,” the former senator said in a recent interview with dzMM.

Roxas served as assistant majority leader under the Ramos administration, during which his bill on Fair and Equitable Access to Education was passed into law.

“Whether it was President Erap (Joseph Estrada), President Gloria (Arroyo), well of course President PNoy (Benigno Aquino III) we’re together in the party, my track record is I am a positive contributor,” he said.

Roxas was the secretary of trade and industry during the terms of Estrada and Arroyo, now Manila mayor and House speaker, respectively.

He also served as secretary of the departments of the Interior and Local Government and of Transportation and Communications under the Aquino government.

Estrada supported Roxas’ program that gave rise to call centers in the country.

“I can’t accept the fact that we can no longer change. I can’t accept that the Philippines is always the ‘sick man of Asia.’ That we can’t keep pace with the development of our neighboring countries,” he said in Filipino. “For me if I can contribute to the growth and development of our country, why not?”

Earlier, Roxas expressed support to the Duterte administration’s plan to increase the tax on tobacco products to fund the Universal Health Care program.

 If he wins, he said he would also push the institutionalization of the conditional cash transfer program, popularly known as the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program or 4Ps, which started under the Arroyo government.

 “I want this (4Ps) to be permanent, that’s one of the things I will push in the Senate,” Roxas said, noting that the program is being used as a political tool, wherein politicians could decide whom to include or delete as beneficiaries.

“I want the 4Ps to become a law so that it won’t become a political tool,” he said.

 Roxas, however, said he is against the government’s decision to impose excise tax on petroleum products, which for him unduly burdens commuters.

 Asked if he is ready to “jump ship” or join the Duterte administration, Roxas said, “I don’t like labels.”

 “For me, my contribution especially to our economy is more important than political affiliation,” he added.