Noynoy-Mar to formally announce tandem on Monday

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA – The formal announcement for the tandem of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II for president and vice president in the 2010 national elections is set to be made Monday.

A Liberal Party (LP) official on Sunday confirmed that Roxas has accepted Aquino’s invitation to run as his vice-president.

In an interview on ANC’s “Dateline Philippines,” LP spokesperson and Quezon 4th district Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III said Roxas and Aquino will make the formal announcement on Monday, Sept. 21. A media advisory has been sent by Roxas’s office for a press conference 11 a.m. Monday at Club Filipino.

The formal announcement will reportedly be made on the day when Muslims commemorate the Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Monday also marks the commemoration of the 37th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

Meanwhile, the LP official has confirmed several of its senatorial candidates for the 2010 elections: former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, former Rep. Nereus Acosta and Akbayan Rep. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel.

Tañada added that talks are ongoing with other parties for the eight remaining slots in its senatorial slate.

“We don’t want [the] LP slate to be dominated by LP,” he told ANC, adding that the party aims to create a “people’s slate.”

Noynoy is the son of the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.

Roxas, meantime, is the grandson of former President Manuel Roxas and son of the late Sen. Gerardo “Gerry” Roxas.

Noynoy announced his presidential bid last Sept. 9

Mar earlier withdrew from the 2010 presidential race last Sept. 1. He also made known his support for Noynoy’s bid.

Both senators made their announcements at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City

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Roxas hints at accepting offer to be Noynoy’s running mate

Source: gmanews.tv

Senator Manuel Roxas II on Monday hinted his inclination to accept the offer to be Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III’s running mate in the 2010 elections.

“Wala namang dahilan kung bakit hindi [ko tatanggapin ang alok]. Pero gusto ko lang na mapag-isipan ng mabuti. Malaking pagbabago ito sa direksyon na tinatahak ko," Roxas told reporters Monday.

(There is no reason why I won’t accept [the offer]. But I’m still thinking things over, because this will definitely change the direction of my political plans.)

He reiterated his promise to be an ally of and to take part in Senator Aquino’s campaign for reform in the country.

"Sabi ko nga dati, hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Sen. Noynoy. Kabahagi ako sa isinusulong niyang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Ang 2010 polls ay [pagtutuos ng] tuwid kontra sa baluktot, tama kontra sa mali, kabutihan kontra sa kasamaan na nakikita natin sa ngayon; at kabahagi ako sa laban na yan," Roxas said.

(As I said, Sen. Noynoy and I will not part ways. I am part of his campaign for reforms. The 2010 elections will be marked by a contest between straight against crooked, right against wrong, good against evil; I am taking part in this fight.)

Asked when he is going to announce his decision, Roxas said, there is no set deadline yet, adding that the most important thing is that he is promoting the candidacy of Aquino.

On the other hand, Roxas said he was happy with the result of the recent Social Weather Stations survey showing that 50 percent of the respondents chose Aquino over other presidential candidates. [See: GMA News report here]

"Natutuwa ako na nakatulong ako para maisakatuparan at mabigyang daan ang matinding kauhawan ng ating mga kababayan para sa pagbabago, para sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala na nasa mga kamay ni Sen. Noynoy Aquino," the senator said.

(I’m happy that I was able to help in the realization of the people’s clamor for change, for honest governance which is in Sen Aquino.)

On September 1, Roxas announced that he made a sacrifice and gave way to Aquino to become the standard bearer of Liberal Party in the 2010 presidential election. [See: Mar gives way to Noynoy as Liberal Party standard bearer]

Shortly after announcing his decision to run for president, Aquino asked Roxas to be his running mate.

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