Roxas dismisses influence of political dynasties in Cebu

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu - Administration standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Thursday dismissed the influence of political dynasties in the vote-rich province of Cebu, saying what he only needs is the support of the Filipino people.

In a chance interview here, Roxas said he is confident that Cebuanos will go for a presidential candidate who is clean, honest and will not steal from government coffers.

"Alam mo 'yung mga malalaking pamilya, ibigay mo na sa kanila," he told reporters, referring to his rivals in the presidential race. "Ako kakampi ko ang mamayang Pilipino."

Despite having the support of his party-mate, re-electionist Governor Hilario Davide III, Roxas said his fate in Cebu is still better left with the Cebuano voters.

"Naniniwala ako na sa dulo, ating mga kababayan ang siyang maghahatid kung sino ang magiging pangulo. Desisyon nila ito. Sino ba ang pagkakatiwalaan nila? Kanino ba nila ipagkakatiwala ang kanila mga anak, ang kanilang kinabukasan?" Roxas said.

"Alam nila na ang gusto nila dito, malinis, tapat, hindi magnanakaw na pamumuno. So nanalig ako, nagtitiwala ako sa ating mga kababayan," he added.

Former GSIS President Winston Garcia, one of Davide’s opponents from the gubernatorial seat, is supporting the candidacy of Vice President Jejomar Binay, the standard bearer of opposition party United Nationalist Alliance.

Roxas beat Binay in Cebu in the 2010 vice-presidential elections by 500,000 votes. In the national tally, however, Roxas lost to Binay.

The Durano family in Cebu has expressed its support for Senator Grace Poe’s presidential bid.

Cebu is the top vote-rich province based on data from the Commission on Elections. It has 2.7 million registered voters for the May 2016 national and local elections.

Roxas will hold a campaign rally here with the rest of the Daang Matuwid coalition slate Thursday afternoon. President Benigno Aquino III is expected to attend the event. —KBK, GMA News