“Today I am announcing my support for Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.” With that one sentence, Senator Mar Roxas transformed from being a politician to a statesman. I was part of his team last year and I saw how hard he was working and how much he has invested in his bid for the Presidency in 2010. He’s been preparing for it since 2007 and it’s not easy just to give all of that up overnight. I feel blessed and I am simply in awe of how much class, humility, and love for country Senator Roxas displayed tonight.
Following the press conference, other candidates also shared their willingness to sacrifice. Senator Kiko Pangilinan explained in an interview on GMA 7 that he wouldn’t hesitate to step aside should Mar decide to run for VP. Former President Erap Estrada also said that he would back out if this would finally unite the opposition for 2010.
Here’s the news article on Inquirer.Net:
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas is no longer running for president in 2010 and has thrown his support behind the candidacy of Senator Benigno Aquino “Noynoy” Aquino III if he would decide to run for the highest post in the land.
“Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for president in 2010,” said Roxas in a prepared statement he read at a press conference at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Calling his decision, the “most difficult” that he had to make in his entire life, Roxas said he did it for his country.
Roxas has not officially declared his presidential bid but some of his colleagues in the Liberal Party have publicly endorsed his candidacy.
Roxas’ decision came amid the increasing clamor for Senator Aquino to continue the legacy of his parents – the late president Corazon “Cory” Aquino and martyred senator Benigno Aquino Jr. – by running for a higher post.
Senator Aquino, who was in the same function room at Club Filipino where Roxas made his announcement, has yet to decide whether or not to seek the presidency.
Broadcaster Korina Sanchez, who is engaged to Roxas, was seen crying as the senator made his speech.
Also present at the press conference were LP officials: Chairman Emeritus Jovito Salonga, secretary general Neric Acosta, spokesman Erin Tañada; and other party members like Congressmen Rufino Biazon and Antonio Abaya; former Civil Service Commission chief Karina David, former social welfare secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, and former defense secretary Avelino Cruz.
Also seen was Roxas’ mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas.
Apologies to all my Facebook contacts who were irritated with me spamming during the press conference. Hehe.
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I was teary eyed awhile ago while listening to his decision in the car… what Mar did was probably one of the most remarkable sacrifices I have witnessed in my life.
I agree with you 100% Frankie. It was a rare display of humility and self-sacrifice. I felt really blessed just watching Mar deliver his speech.
I respect Mar even more. His willingness to sacrifice his dream for the sake of National Unity is a true mark of a gentleman and a statesman.
Kudos!
I was never a fan of Senator Roxas before (especially because of his Mr. Palengke packaging, which smacks of trapo trickery). After yielding to Noynoy, however, I think he has earned the people’s respect, which is very rarely bestowed on a Filipino politician.