PNoy to LP members: Campaign for Mar before self

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday asked Liberal Party (LP) members to prioritize the campaign of their standard-bearer, Manuel Roxas II.

During the LP National Executive Council (NECO) convention in Cubao, Quezon City, Aquino urged his party mates to campaign for Roxas before campaigning for themselves.

"Sa darating na kampanya at ito ay talagang matinding pakiusap, siguro bago ‘yung sarili nating kandidatura ang isipin natin, ang pinakaimportante may pangulo tayong magpapatuloy ng tuwid na daan," Aquino said in a speech.

"Ulitin ko lang, pakiusap sa lahat ng kasamahan kung tayo ay talagang naniniwala sa tuwid na daan, ikampanya natin 'yung ating lider bago muna 'yung sarili," he added.

Aquino said he will exert his best efforts to campaign for Roxas, who has seen his survey ratings increase after the president formally endorsed him in July. 

"Palagay ko 'yung darating na kampanya ang magiging pinakamahirap na kampanya para sa akin dahil ibubuhos ko na lahat ng maibubuhos ko tungo sa kampanyang ito," Aquino said.

"In a sense, mahirap dahil talagang pipilitin kong malapitan lahat ng botanteng puwede kong malapitan para imungkahi ang kandidatura ng ating piniling kandidato," the president added.

Aquino presided the LP convention which formally nominated Roxas as its presidential bet.

LP leaders also passed a resolution authorizing Roxas to select the party's vice presidential candidate and 12 senatorial bets.

Aquino chose Roxas as his preferred successor, saying he has the integrity and experience to continue the administration's "Daang Matuwid."

In earlier surveys, Roxas was consistently behind presidential aspirants Sen. Grace Poe and Vice Jejomar Binay.

During Roxas's endorsement, Aquino said the party should do better in making Roxas more popular to the public.