Mar Roxas chides political turncoats

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu - Administration standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Thursday challenged party members to support the platform of the ruling Daang Matuwid coalition or leave the Liberal Party.

Roxas made the statement amid the claim of opposition party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) that incumbents from the LP are expected to jump ship and throw their support behind the presidential candidacy of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“May mga proseso na palagay ko, na nagpapakalalaki sila, na kung hindi nila nasuportahan ang sinusulong ng Daang Matuwid ay malinis naman sila dapat na umalis,” Roxas told reporters in a chance interview here.

According to UNA Secretary General JV Bautista, half of all mayors of Bohol are supporting Binay’s candidacy. He also claimed that UNA is expecting more incumbents from the LP, Nationalist People’s Coalition, and the National Unity Party to join UNA.

Roxas downplayed UNA’s claim, citing the Boholanos’ welcome to the ruling coalition slate Wednesday.

He said LP incumbents leaving the party only want to go back to the old system of politics.

“‘Yung mga lumilipat, mabuti na rin lang na lumipat na sila. Kasi ibig sabihin, hindi naman talaga sila naniniwala sa kawsa natin, sa isinusulong natin. Hindi madali itong laban na ito. Ang laban natin ay para sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala,” Roxas said.

“‘Yung mga bumabaligtad, ‘yung mga umaalis, eh baka talaga namang gusto nila, ‘yung baluktot na nakaraan. Gusto nila ‘yung ibang paraan. Kami, malinaw kami. Doon kami sa matuwid, sa malinis na pamamahala,” he added. —KG, GMA News