Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Sen. Mar Roxas Supports Noynoy for 2010


Sept. 1, 2009, Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines - The Liberal Party President and the supposed Standard bearer Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas has pledged his support for Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino to be become the standard bearer of the Liberal Party.

Noynoy was suddenly catapulted to such popularity when calls for him to seek a higher post in 2010 emerged after the death of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

Yet, despite the backing and preference of Former Senate president and LP chairman Franklin Drilon and former Senate President Jovito Salonga for a Mar-Noynoy tandem, with Noynoy as the vice presidential candidate (That was my combination-preference too). Mar humbly backed-out of his dream to become the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

During in an impromptu speech at Club Filipino, Mar Roxas said that he is giving his support to the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino.

"Let us not remain a country of dreamers," Roxas said in his speech. "Today I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy as the president of the Philippines."

Here's the full transcript of that speech courtesy of abs-cbnnews.com. It was very well said and I have to admit that it brought a lump to my throat.

Country above self. Bayan bago ang sarili.

Iyan ang habilin ng aking lolo, President Manuel Roxas.

Our nation is in trouble. Leadership is bankrupt. Institutions are in disarray. People are hungry.

Noynoy Aquino and I share the same outrage over the mess we are all in, the same way we share the solution-clean, honest, selfless public service.

Marami at matindi ang mga problema ng bansa. Kailangan nating ayusin. Matindi ang kalaban. We need a determined force for good far stronger than the festering evil around us.

We need to fight just as our own fathers fought dictatorship, and just as both died believing that good will conquer evil.

Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want.

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. I choose to lead unity, not division. Bilang pinuno ng aking Partido, magdedesisyon ako.

Mahal ko ang Partido Liberal. My grandfather founded it. My father led it during the most difficult times of Martial Law. Sa harap ng peligro, sa kabila ng napakaraming tukso-hindi siya sumuko.

He inspired me-to stay the course, to fight the good fight, to pass the test of true character. To believe.

Over the weekend, Noynoy and I had many long conversations... Masinsinang usapan. We agreed: Let us forget about ourselves for a moment. This is not about us, this is about our people and our country. This is about our common dream. The dream of our parents.

But let us not remain a country of dreamers. Tama na ang pangarap. Gawin na natin, ngayon.

Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.

Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership.

The passing of our beloved former President Aquino has reawakened a passion among us. I acknowledge this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream: Good will triumph over evil.

Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko. Maniwala man kayo o hindi, ginagawa ko ito para sa bayan, para sa inyo. I do this for unity in support of change. And if that means that somebody must make the sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na.

To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.

Hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noy. I will stand with him.

At sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga nagtiwala sa akin: Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Mahal na mahal ko po ang ating bayan. Hindi rin tayo maghihiwalay. Itutuloy natin ang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Itutuloy natin ang laban para sa reporma!

Kay Noy, at sa aking mga kababayan: Country above self! Bayan bago sarili!

Hindi ko kayo pababayaan! Lalaban tayo!

Mar Roxas, you stand much taller after forfeiting and sacrificing your political career for the sake of change!

May God bless you and may you find favor for that promotion at the right time!

14 comments:

  1. A true gentleman and a statesman.

    kababasa ko lang nito sa GMANews.tv
    nandito na agad...

    Sinakripisyo ni Sen Mar Roxas ang napakalaking pangarap nya alang-alang sa bayan.

    Mabuhay kayong dalawa, Sen. Roxas and Sen. Aquino..sana di kayo kainin ng sistema pag nasa Palasyo na kayo..

    Mabuhay ka rin NJ...!

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  2. Mar is a true politician..Despite his interest to run for presidency he backed out and supported Noynoy..This indeed a great sacrifice..Mabuhay si Mar!

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  3. Amazing virtue, a real statesman sacrificing his political ambition passing the torch of candidacy to Sen. Noynoy Aquino.

    However I am troubled on two things during Sen. Mar's speech and Sen. Noynoy's interview -

    1. Sen. Mar did not categorically state his plan on 2010, if he is running as VP for Sen. Nonynoy or as re-electionist for Senatorial slate.

    2. It is sad to note that at this point in time Sen. Nonynoy is still undecided to run for President on 2010 despite Sen. Mar's statement of giving way to Noynoy. Moreover, Noynoy is still holding his decision, before his excuse was that he has to convince his family, not he has to wait till traditional 40 days mourning period of late Pres. Aquino is over and is calling the Filipinos to display yellow ribbons on each houses to symbolize its support for his candidacy. This seems to be a half bake decision of a leader in the making.

    Personally, I would rather go for the stronger tandem of MAR-NOYNOY, this is a winning formula.

    But I hope Noynoy will make a stronger and determined stand soon. He cannot always use the Cory's Magic as his vehicle in politics, it takes more than a Charismatic Leader to change a nation that is on now the verge of political chaos and economic collapse.

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  4. Bakit parang wala akong alam sa politika? Hmmn, magbabasa muna ko ng mga news ha...

    Hehehe, seriously, when seeing Noynoy sa funeral ni Cory, I realize one thing there. Baka pwedeng ito na nga ang tinatawag nating hope of the country, gift to her people. But the fate of a country doesn't stand on the shoulder of a one man di ba.

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  5. I Support their tickets. I believe that Noynoy will not Jeopardize the integrity and legacy of his parents. I admire and salute Sen Mar for his greatest decision.

    Mabuhay po sila! that is the spirit of each Politician should have

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  6. @bizjoker - well said my friend! i do hope too that the two politicians will not turn out to be tradpols and be eaten up by the decaying political system of our country.

    @ruel - mar's selfless act of giving up his dream for the presidency is what made me look up to him as a gentleman and a statesman (to borrow the description of bizjoker).

    @the pope - i agree with you pope. i also prefer the mar-noynoy tandem because i feel that the election is still about competence, track-record, experience, principles and values. Noynoy may be popular because of his parents but sad to say that I haven't seen anything that he has proven even if he has been in politics for a long time now. Nevertheless, mar's action today is so heroic that maybe...maybe by twist of fate he can still be the standard bearer of the party.

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  7. @Kenji - alam mo bakit wala kang alam ngaun sa politika? busy ka kasi sa pakipagbakbakan sa kanto...hehehe. lam ko namang busy ka sa pag-follow up sa makotongan naten sa peba, inc. at sa paghanap ng venue naten...hehehe.

    at this time, i still don't agree that noynoy can lead us to a different level of politics. i posted this blog because i highly appreciated the action of mar roxas. i still don't see the potential of noynoy to become president except being the son of ninoy and cory.

    @life moto - i also support the tandem because that's what it is right now but i still prefer a mar-noynoy over noynoy-mar.

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  8. pinanood ko 'yan ng live sa ANC kanina, pero nadismaya ako kasi ineexpect ko na pagkatapos ni Sen Mar, tatayo na din si Sen Noy para sa kanyang acceptance speech, pero hindi naman niya ginawa...

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  9. Sana nga ito na ang hinihintay nating pagbabago, sana nga...

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  10. i watched it yesterday while having my lunch after 6 hours of waiting!!! (uwing-uwi na para kumain!)

    i'm glad he made it... it will help him in the future. kelangan nya munang maging magaling when it comes to handling a nation... he can start safely as VP.. malay natin after 6 years... sya naman ang susuportahan ni Noynoy...

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  11. i believe na mas magiging win-win situation para sa bansa at para sa dalawang aspirants ang tandem na mar/noynoy.

    hilaw ang desisyon ni noynoy, tama ka dyan brod.

    hindi ang kasikatang naibigay ni ninoy at pres. cory kay noynoy ang makakapagsalba sa eknomiya ng pilipinas.

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  12. Oh dear, I'm sure I'm going to get a flak for saying this: I don't like Mar Roxas. Until today.

    I am for Noynoy/Mar tandem because I thought it has a better chance than the Mar/Noynoy tandem (and if ever the latter tandem pushes through, I'd vote for Noynoy as VP but I'll choose another President).

    Sorry. The thought of Korina being the First Lady gives me the creeps. They're too showbiz, those two couples. (Imagine announcing their engagement at Wowowee -- that for me, is the cheapest trick imaginable!).

    Sorry NJ, but this is my personal opinion.

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  13. @batang henyo - hehehe...baka na shock siya at di makapaniwala na susuportahan siya ni mar.

    @lord CM - sana nga ito na simulain ng pagbabago. they may not be the pair that i will probably put my bet on but definitely the act of mar sets everything in motion for the rest of the politicians to follow.

    @ azel - kaya pala napagana ang iyong pananghalian eh ang tagal mo nga palang nag-antay sa coverage... hehehe. yes, mar's supporting role will be paid off in due time...i hope

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  14. @indecent mind - pareho tayo ng pananaw sa kanilang team-up...medyo pa ngang hilaw si noynoy despite the many years he is in politics...and you said it right that it's not the popularity and fame of ninoy and cory (which will probably be the factor that noynoy will be riding on)that will keep our economy afloat but it is living that legacy that has been bequeathed by noynoy's parents to the Filipino people that will make the difference.

    @nebz - ano pa ang masabi ko kundi magkita na lang tayo sa kanto...hehehe. You'll not get a flak for your comment...you'll get a plaque from PEBA... hahaha...inshallah! I will not argue you on your preference for Noynoy-Mar tandem because that is what it's gonna be for now. I respect your stand on the partnership. It's only now that I know na 'anti'-showbiz ka pala...hahaha

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