CEBU, Philippines- Around 10,000 people, including political leaders, businessmen, members of the civil society, senior citizens, health workers, and students, gathered yesterday to support Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.
In the crowd of people wearing Liberal Party’s official color, President Benigno Aquino III personally appealed for the Cebuanos to support Roxas in the 2016 elections.
“Ang paniniwala ko po, masyadong malaki ang nakataya para ipagkatiwala sa baka maipagpatuloy ang Daang Matuwid, at lalo naman po siguro doon sa hindi magpapatuloy sa Daang Matuwid. Doon na po tayo sa siguradong ipagpapatuloy ang lahat ng nasimulan natin. At sa tingin ko po, alam na alam na ninyong lahat kung sino ang aking tinutukoy at walang iba ‘yan kundi si Mar Roxas na kasama natin ngayon,” Aquino told the people in the jam-packed New Cebu Coliseum during a “Gathering of Friends”.
Aquino described Roxas as a person with integrity, reliable and has deep knowledge and someone who is capable of continuing the “Daang Matuwid.”
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III assured Roxas’ victory in Cebu.
“We assure you of Secretary Mar’s victory in 2016,” Davide told Aquino.
“Kita dinhi sa kabisay-an atong gisaad ni President Noynoy that we are bound to the social contract with the Filipino people. Atong ipadayon dinhi sa kabisay-an ang tul-id na dalan or the righteous path kay mao kini ang tinuoray nga pangalagad alang sa atong mga kaigsuonan,” Davide added.
According to him, Roxas is the only one who can continue the “good governance” that the present administration has started.
Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto also made the same promise.
“…to speak with one voice and desire to continue the PNoy administration. We will be one in supporting the next president,” he said.
Chatto recalled how Aquino and Roxas supported his province and its constituents after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2013.
Bohol was the most affected in what was described as the most destructive earthquakes in recent history that claimed over 200 lives and injured at least a thousand.
The earthquake destroyed roads, bridges, buildings, and crushed historic churches in the region.
Vice Governor Agnes Magpale also thanked Aquino and Roxas for being generous to Cebu, citing the recent distribution of 44 police patrol jeeps to the different municipalities.
“Dili gyod ikalimod ang tabang sa administrasyon. Mapasalamaton kita sa iyang pagtagad ug supporta kanato,” she said.
Cherry de Leon-Durano, a business process outsourcing executive in Cebu City, also acknowledged the initiatives of Roxas that helped Cebu’s BPO industry grow.
She said the thriving BPO industry in Cebu ranks second in the Philippines and eight worldwide.
“He made it possible. Businessmen continue to invest here as the result of his marketing effort in US and other global firms,” she said in a speech yesterday.
Roxas is said to be responsible for bringing in the BPO industry in the country by broadening tax incentives to attract call center investors and by initiating the creation of the Call Center Association of the Philippines to ensure its growth in 2010 when he was secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.
Roxas said he accepted the challenge to continue the “Daang Matuwid” and invited the Cebuanos to be with him in this journey.
“Humaharap ako sa inyong lahat ngayon kasi gusto ko kayong imbitahang makisagwan sa biyaheng ito. Gaano ba kalayo ang kayang marating ng iisang taong may iisang bangka at iisang sagwan? Kung pagsasama-samahin natin ang ating lakas, walang dudang mararating natin ang mas maunlad at mas masaganang Pilipinas,” Roxas said.
Roxas was joined by the other cabinet secretaries who are likely to run for senator under the LP ticket. They are MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, PhilHealth director Risa Hontiveros, and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.
Other possible LP senatorial candidates include Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and Health Secretary Janet Garin.
Binay sortie
Another presidential wannabe, Vice President Jejomar Binay also made his own sorties in the cities of Talisay and Toledo.
He visited Barangays General Climaco, Dumlog, Poblacion and Puting-bato where he met and greet barangay officials, senior citizens, and the residents.
The vice president had a boodle fight in Barangay Climaco yesterday morning and at the Toledo Public Market during lunchtime with the market vendors, barangay officials, and senior citizens.
Later in the afternoon, Binay visited Campo 4, Campo 8, Tabunok and Jaclupan in Talisay. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Kristine B. Quintas, Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, and Raymond D. Abarcas/FPL