PRESIDENT Aquino on Friday virtually proclaimed Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II as the administration’s standard bearer, in advance of the October filing of certificates of candidacy for aspirants in the 2016 presidential elections.
Malacañang officials, however, promptly played down concerns that Aquino may be found to be in violation of election laws against premature proclamation as the well-attended political event—which included ruling Liberal Party stalwarts, led by Senate President Franklin M. Drilon and Cabinet officials—at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, was billed as “a gathering of friends.”
Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. and Chief Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino was not at all worried about potential liability for making an early endorsement of Roxas, Aquino’s friend and 2010 running mate, as the LP standard bearer in next year’s presidential derby.
“No he [Aquino] is not,” Coloma said, noting that even election lawyer Romulo Macalintal had said that “the President may make a personal endorsement.”
The presidential endorsement, in effect, seals an upcoming rematch between Roxas as LP bet and Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, who is running under the opposition United Nationalist Alliance.
In his speech, Aquino told supporters that it is part of his obligation to ensure reforms began under daang matuwid will continue, which is why choosing and endorsing his successor is crucial.
Saying he felt no one else can guarantee with certainty the future of daang matuwid, Aquino then proceeded to endorse Roxas, triggering hearty applause from his Club Filipino audience. “We will go with whom we can be certain will continue the straight path. And I believe that person is none other than Mar Roxas.”
Justifying his choice, Aquino recalled that Roxas “was the first who worked to bring the BPO [business-process outsourcing] sector here and ensure it flourished in the Philippines.”
The President pointed out that from having 2,400 BPO employees in 2000, the sector has ballooned to an P18.9-billion industry, employing over 1 million people in 2014.
“I know that, whatever orders are given Mar, he will not leave until the situation is stable. Whether in Zamboanga, Bohol, or Leyte, even when communications has been cut off because of [Typhoon] Yolanda, I know that everything is in good hands and that he does not need to wait for orders, just to ensure that all needs are met,” Aquino added.
Popularity rating disappointing
AQUINO admitted, however, he was puzzled why Roxas was having difficulty improving his popularity ratings, trailing behind Binay and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in presidential surveys. “What’s puzzling to us: In spite of everything that Mar has done, in spite of his sacrifices, it’s as if there’s an entire industry dedicated to bringing him down.”
“For my part: The triumphs of one person do not vanish into thin air, just because he does not broadcast them. And in choosing, I, like you, do not consider those who are clearly credit mongers, and those who have clearly strayed from the straight path,” Aquino said.
He urged voters to examine what candidates have done, saying: “The longer their experience, the better, because it is in their experience that we will see evidence of their being true and excellent partners along the straight path.”
“It is clear who, of all the choices, deserves to be our next leader. And if his numbers are low at this point in time, it only means that we need to do even more to make him known to all,” Aquino said. “To my bosses, I tell you today: In my opinion, the one who has shown exemplary work and true integrity, the one fully ready to continue the straight path, is none other than Mar Roxas.”
‘Perpetuation of elite rule, antipoor policies’
PROGRESSIVE groups called the recent anointment of Roxas as LP presidential candidate “logical choice for a laki-sa-layaw, pompous son of sugar haciendero of a President to prefer his kindred spirit.”
“As far as the workers are concerned with the affairs of the country, Aquino’s choice did not come as a surprise. Aquino did not hide the fact that he desired a candidate who will continue his rabid antipoor policies and Roxas undeniably fits the bill,” said Leody de Guzman, chairman of militant labor group, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP).
The BMP views Roxas’s acceptance of the baton from Aquino not only as a continuation of the programs of Aquino that led to wage suppression, widespread underemployment, contractualization and circumvention of labor laws but also their furtherance.
De Guzman argued that, “Roxas’s banking and business background will be utilized to stir up foreign investments and will directly translate to relentless liberalization of the market, deregulation of strategic industries, privatization of state assets and labor flexibilization.”
More so the labor leader perceives that Aquino’s endorsement of Roxas will not only serve in the interests of the oligarchs but is also self-serving for it assures him a free pass from all accountabilities for his administration’s transgressions.
“Roxas’s neoliberal economic stance and entry in the 2016 presidential race has placed him in the crosshairs of the workers’ rage. He should expect it anytime soon,” he added.
Meanwhile, lawyer Aaron Pedrosa of Sanlakas took a jab at the public event at Club Filipino, where Aquino announced his anointment of Roxas saying, “It was composed of the same old dynasties and personalities that benefited from the Aquino regime and aim to perpetuate their economic and political control from 2016 onward.”’
“It only took less than a week for Aquino to expose himself. This administration never intended to pass the anti-dynasty law for it is the lifeline of their elitist rule and their activity at Club Filipino is testament to that. Roxas’s campaign shall be fueled by these corrupt dynasties,” he said.
Both groups vowed to oppose all presidential candidates that will bear the neoliberal economic agenda in their political platform.
(With Marvyn Benaning and Claudeth Mocon)