Mar belittles support of Cebu influential families to his rivals

LAPU- LAPU CITY – Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Thursday said he is hopeful that he can still get an overwhelming support in vote-rich Cebu where he got more votes than now Vice President Jejomar C. Binay during the 2010 elections.

He stressed this as he dismissed the influence of political dynasties in the province, who are supporting his bitter rival, saying that the support of the people is what he needs to win in the coming May elections.

It was recalled that during the 2010 polls when he ran for vice president, Roxas beat Binay in Cebu by a margin of 400,000 plus votes. But this year’s elections may be different, with Roxas’ rivals in the presidential race getting the support of some of the political clans in the province.

“Alam mo yan mga malalaking pamilya, ibigay mo na sa kanila (Give the big families to them),” Roxas told reporters here, referring to big names in Cebu who are supporting Binay and the other presidential candidates... He stressed that what he needs to win in the elections is the support of the people.

According to Roxas, it will be the people, and not the political families, who will choose the next president.

Roxas said he believes the Cebuanos know who they want to be the next president, and that is someone who is clean, honest, and will not steal from government coffers.

Meanwhile, Roxas appeared not affected by reports that some LP members and allies have transferred or are expected to transfer to the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Binay and other parties.

Last March 2, on the day Roxas and his team visited Bohol, some local LP stalwarts joined hands with opposition candidates to pledge support for Binay’s presidential bid.

But Roxas said it’s actually better that they did because that only shows they are not really for good gover- nance, which is the platform of the Daang Matuwid coalition.

“Hindi madali itong laban na ito. Ang laban natin ay para sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala. ‘ Yung mga bumabaligtad, ‘yung mga umaalis, eh baka talaga namang gusto nila, ‘yung baluktot na nakaraan. Gusto nila ‘yung ibang paraan (This fight is not easy. It’s all about straight and honest leadership. Those who shifted alliances, those who left apparently want the old way of governance. They want a different leadership),” Roxas added.

Roxas and his running mate Rep. Leni Robredo, together with the Daang Matuwid Senate slate, made their rounds of Cebu Thursday.

In the morning, Roxas visited a shipbuilding company in Lapu-Lapu City, the Evercat Asia, Inc. located at Mactan Economic Zone 1, M. L. Quezon National Highway, to see further opportunities in the said industry in terms of providing jobs for the Filipinos.

From there, he and his team met with 3,500 multi-sectoral leaders, BUB and 4Ps beneficiaries at Lamberto Cultural Center, Poblacion, Daanbantayan.

They were later joined by President Aquino in the LP rally at the Mandaue Sports Complex, Mandaue City.