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With wife Korina Sanchez and his mother Judy Araneta Roxas watching, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas was officially announced as the standard bearer of the Liberal Party (LP) on Fri, Jul 31, at Club Filipino in San Juan City.
President Noynoy Aquino ended speculations by his outright identification of Roxas as his “anointed one.” He stated, “May nagsabi wag na ako mag-endorso. Friend to all na lang. Hindi rin tama yan. Personal na interes yan imbes na interes ng bansa (Somebody told me I shouldn’t endorse anyone at all. I should just be a friend to all. That’s not right. That’s putting personal interest above the nation’s interests).”
Aquino had also added: “Ang sa akin lang po, bakit tayo magapapaakit sa ‘baka’ kung meron namang sigurado (For me, why should we be tempted by ‘maybe’ when there’s a sure thing on hand)?”
Finally, Aquino said: “Doon na tayo sa siguradong itutuloy ang Daang Matuwid. Ang paniniwala ko ito ay walang iba kundi si Mar Roxas (Let’s go with someone who is sure to continue the Straight Path. I believe this is none other than Mar Roxas).”
Cabinet secretaries present at Club Filipino included Paquito Ochoa Jr., Sonny Coloma, Joel Villanueva, and Leila De Lima.
Before President Aquino made the important announcement, a number of people like OFW-turned-farmer Ramon Maranon, BPO worker Marvin Rodriguez, Mayor Rommel Arnado of Kauswagan, Lanao Del Norte, and Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program beneficiary Anna Liza Natalio gave testimonies on how effective “Daang Matuwid” is and how Roxas is the best man to continue the said legacy.
Photo: RTVM
