“I have absolutely no doubt: This is a fight worth fighting.”
This was the message of Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and administration bet Mar Roxas during a gathering of friends and allies from local government units (LGUs) nationwide held in San Juan City yesterday.
“Sinabi ko na noong Biyernes: Ibubuhos ko ang lahat para sa Daang Matuwid; wala akong ititira para sa sarili ko,” he told more 1,200 local leaders from the legislative and executive branches who attended.
“Sa tulong ninyo—sa tulong ng mga Boss natin—walang kaduda-duda, maipapanalo natin ang Daang Matuwid,” he added.
For Roxas, the 2016 elections is not just like any elections for a typical politician.
“Hindi na ito sa akin. Tungkol ito ay isang misyon, misyon nating lahat na ipagpaloob natin sa ating mga anak, sa ating mga kababayan, ang pinakamaganda, ang pinakamahusay na Pilipinas na magagawa natin para sa kanila,” Roxas explained.
He also invited everyone to personally talk to him about apprehensions supporters may have against him.
“Hindi magiging madali ang laban natin. Alam ko, may mga alinlangan ang ilan sa atin. Gusto kong pag-usapan nang diretsahan ang mga alinlangang ito, dahil kung hindi, baka maging marupok ang paninindigan at tiwala natin sa isa’t isa,” he said.
Roxas then assured local officials that in the coming months, they would get to know him the way those he works closely with.
President Aquino also joined the event and stressed the importance of continuity regarding the administration’s reforms.
“’Yung kaya natin, iniisip nating kayang gawin ngayon, ‘yung pagpupursigi natin, ‘yung disiplina natin. Baka kung naisip natin 1-10, nasa 10 na kami. Baka hanapin natin ‘yung 10.5, ‘yung 11,” Aquino said.
The president also highlighted the real and tangible changes that the administration has made.
“Mahirap ‘yung nagbebenta tayo ng produktong abstrakto. Ano ba ibig sabihin n’on? ‘Pag kami naupo, sabi ng iba gaganda ‘yung buhay n’yo. Hanggang ngayon, hinihintay ko pa ho ‘yung paano. Madali naman mangako eh, pero ‘yung pangako eh, pasunod eh,” he stressed.
Members of the administration coalition led by the Liberal Party shared the excitement with the crowd as soon as Roxas stepped into the room.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda said that all of the province’s mayors were present at the gathering to support Roxas.
“I want to show that Albay ang may pinakamalaking delegation dito. Wala ho kaming absent. Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ni Mar Roxas para ipagpatuloy ang Tuwid na Daan,” he said.
“Our candidate should not be based on popularity, but integrity,” said A-Teacher party-list Rep. Juliet Fortun, who pledged the support of a coalition of party lists in the House of Representatives.
“Pag nagtulungan tayo, imposibleng hindi manalo si Mar!” she added.
The event, organized by leaders of the different leagues of government officials, was dubbed as “Ituloy ang Tuwid na Daan” as was widely seen as a “show of force” in support of sustained reforms and good governance. (DILG)