The Liberal Party (LP) formally announced on Monday an Aquino-Roxas presidential and vice presidential tandem in the 2010 national elections.
The announcement was made after Senator Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas II, LP president, formally accepted the offer of Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, son of the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. to become his running mate in next year’s presidential derby.
Roxas’ acceptance of Aquino’s offer was held yesterday morning at Club Filipino, San Juan, the place where the late President Aquino was sworn into office as President of a revolutionary government after the downfall of the late President Marcos in 1986.
In front of his mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas, Roxas wholeheartedly accepted young Aquino’s offer to become his running mate and thanked him for “this opportunity to work with you as we raise the banner of reform and thank you for the privilege of joining you and all our kababayans in fight for decency and integrity in public service, and for a government that puts the people’s interest first.’’
“But this fight is not just about Noynoy and me. It’s bigger than the two of us. It is bigger than the Liberal Party. It is about our collective thirst for change,’’ Roxas, clad in yellow T-shirt, stressed.
“It is about our thirst for change finally overcoming those who want to continue the tayu-tayo system, the horse-trading, the greed, the self-interest, the transactional politics that has been the biggest roadblock to progress and prosperity for all,’’ he added.
The young Aquino, who came in black T-shirt, told a big crowd at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino that Roxas sacrificed a lot when he withdrew his plans to seek the presidency for the interests of the majority as the Filipino voters are thirsty for a clean government.
He cited the good traits of Roxas, particularly for his advocacy for cheaper medicines and, in the process, taking on the multi-billion-dollar foreign pharmaceutical corporations.
During a brief press briefing after the formal announcement, Aquino said his presidential campaign would focus on his demand for a major overhaul in the country’s educational system where 14 out of every 100 who go to the elementary level finish college.
Only two of the 14 concentrate on science and technology.
He, likewise, pressed his advocacy for a robust agriculture sector to provide the country with food security and in fighting corruption in government.
If the Aquino-Roxas tandem wins, Aquino said he would tap Roxas for the finance post being an economist and well-rounded on taxation.
Asked about the difference between Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, the administration’s presidential bet and his cousin, Noynoy, Roxas said Teodoro would most likely continue with the failed policies of the Arroyo administration but Aquino would have an entirely different tack in solving the country’s problems.
Former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, LP chairman, said the LP machinery is ready for next year’s election following the adoption of the Aquino-Roxas tandem, particularly after Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan officially withdrew his bid for the vice presidency.
Drilon earlier told a TV interviewer that he sees no violation of election laws as the LP just announced its party bets. The LP was scheduled to hold it convention in mid-October.
He said the LP campaign would be focused on issues, not personalities, as the party’s tack is to press for wide-ranging reforms. (With reports from Madelynne Dominguez and Samuel Raphael P. Medenilla)
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