Capiz open to all candidates – Roxas

“Capiz is open to all candidates, they are free to present their platform there,” presidential candidate Mar Roxas said yesterday, denying a hand in the allegations of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero that they were prevented from campaigning there. Capiz is the home

province of the Liberal Party standardbearer.

The tandem of Poe and Escudero were in Roxas City Wednesday to campaign but reports said they were barred from meeting with the students in one of the schools there. The report also said Poe’s supporters were also prevented from entering a mall where they were supposed to hold a dialogue.

The camps of Poe and Escudero had tagged Roxas as responsible, with Poe reported to have been quoted as mocking the “Daang Matuwid” campaign slogan of the administration party.

‘Freeloader of gains’ This did not sit well with the Liberal Party which accused Poe of being a freeloader of the gains of the Aquino administration, especially in the fight against corruption.

Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrez, LP spokesman for the campaign, said that Poe is obviously riding on the success of the clean and honest governance for the 2016 elections.

In fact, he said that Poe’s recent statement that she wanted Aquino to be his adviser for the anti-corruption drive if she wins is among the indications.

“We are happy that she recognizes the achievements of the President but what is unfair there is that she clearly wants to make people believe that she is close to the President,” said Gutierrez.

No secret candidate Earlier, President Aquino had repeatedly denied the reports that Poe is his “secret candidate” insisting that he is for Roxas, his anointed.

“The President has already chosen Mar Roxas, maybe they should think of another gimmick,” said Gutierrez.