Saying that somebody “has to make a sacrifice,” Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II indicated Tuesday that he is giving way to his party-mate Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III as the standard bearer of the Liberal Party in the 2010 presidential elections.
“Noynoy Aquino and I share the outrage in the mess we are all in,” Roxas said in an early evening press conference at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City organized by the Liberal Party.
“I want to make a difference,” he added. “I am the president of the Liberal party. It is within my power to preside over a potentially divisive process or to make the party a bridge for the forces of change.”
“Today I’m announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for president in 2010,” Roxas said.
Roxas had long been groomed as LP’s standard bearer in next year’s presidential elections. Following the death of former president Corazon Aquino last Aug. 1, however, there has been a public clamor for Noynoy Aquino to run for the nation’s top post.
The party has yet to formally announce its candidates in next year’s polls.
During the press conference, Roxas did not categorically state if he would be the running-mate of Aquino, who was present but did not speak during the event.
But Sen. Rodolfo Biazon and former LP president Florencio “Butch” Abad, who is also the party’s campaign manager, said it was clear in Roxas’ statement that he was giving way to Noynoy as the party’s standard bearer.
“Maliwanag yung announcement. (The announcement is clear) Mar is giving way to Noynoy,” Biazon said.
“It is a shared decision in the sense that, sinabi ng LP na ‘mag-usap kayong dalawa. Kung ano man ang mapagdesisyunan ninyo, susuportahan namin’(LP told them ‘you have to talk. Whatever your decisions, we will support),” he added.
Aquino did not answer telephone calls and his reaction was not immediately available. According to Abad, Aquino would be making his “reaction to Roxas’ announcement” on Wednesday. [See: Noynoy expected to announce presidential bid on Wednesday]
The announcement was reminiscent of the decision of Salvador “Doy” Laurel in 1985 to give way to Mrs. Aquino as the common candidate of the opposition in the snap elections called by then-president Ferdinand Marcos.
On Monday night, Noynoy Aquino had hinted that he might announce his political plans earlier than Sept. 9, the 40th day after the death of his mother.
Outside his home along Times Street, the Tuloy pNOY Movement led by Alex Lacson had placed a drum recently where supporters could put their messages for Noynoy. Lacson’s group had organized the Tuloy pNOY movement and set up a website to convince Noynoy to run for president. [See: Messages pour in for Noynoy to run for president in 2010]
Catalyst of unity
Lito Anzures, spokesperson of Makati Mayor and United Opposition president Jejomar Binay, said the mayor would “probably” give way to Noynoy as the opposition’s standard bearer.
“Pwede nating sabihin na probable na probable na ‘yan (We can say that it’s very probable),” Anzures said when asked by radio dzBB on Tuesday night if Binay would give way for Noynoy. [See: Binay may also give up presidential bid for Noynoy - spokesman]
Reacting to Roxas’ announcement, Malacañang said it is unlikely to make a dent on the administration coalition Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi)-CMD.
“It’s a very interesting development. It will definitely complicate matters further for the opposition more than it would affect the administration coalition,” said presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio in a text message to reporters.
Meanwhile, former President Joseph Estrada said he admired Roxas for giving way to Aquino.
“Kahanga-hanga ang desisyon ni Senator Roxas na ibigay yung kanyang pangarap na maging pangulo ng ating bansa (Senator Roxas’ decision to give up his dream of becoming the country’s president is admirable),” Estrada said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Asked what his opinions were on a possible Aquino-Roxas tandem in 2010, Estrada said it was too early to give a comment.
“Palagay ko, hindi pa ako makakapagbigay ng ano (opinion) diyan (I think I cannot yet give an opinion on that yet),” the former president said.
Estrada had repeatedly said he would be forced to run for president in 2010 if the opposition fails to unite behind a single candidate.
‘Yellow fever’
Earlier, Cory and Ninoy’s only son said three factors would influence his decision on running for president: his ability to guarantee that there will really be meaningful changes for society and the country, the availability of logistics for his electoral campaign, and the sentiments of his four sisters on his presidential bid.
He said wearing yellow shirts would show the conscious effort of the public to call not only his attention but also that of other politicians and prospective candidates that they are serving at the pleasure of the people.
“At my age, I want clarity, I cannot dwell on wishful thinking,” Noynoy said. -Sophia Dedace, Andreo Calonzo, Joseph Holandes Ubalde, and AR Sabangan, GMANews.TV
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