CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Aug. 7 (PNA) — Governor Aurelio Umali on Friday called on political leaders in the province – a known bailiwick of presidential front-runners Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay – to support the candidacy of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II in this traditionally oppositionist turf.
Addressing local officials from the municipality of Rizal and Muñoz Science City at the old Capitol here, Umali, provincial chairman of the Liberal Party (LP), admitted that the province may not be a bailiwick of Roxas but said that the entire LP machinery will be mobilized in support of his presidential run.
“We all know for a fact that Nueva Ecija is Binay and Poe country. It is even Erap and Marcos country. And (Davao City) Mayor (Rodrigo) Duterte has quite a following. But as a partyman, I will toe the party line. I will stand up to Secretary Roxas as the standard-bearer of the LP. So, join me in supporting him,” he told the local leaders.
He said he will not cross party lines in support of another bet but stick it out with Roxas just like when he supported the presidential candidacy in 2010 of then-defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro, cousin of President Benigno Aquino III.
“I am Liberal but not liberated,” he said, adding he is not promising to make Roxas win in the province but will do his share to make the latter amass votes.
“The response of Novo Ecijanos to Secretary Roxas is very positive, even barangay leaders so I think he stands to fare well in spite of Nueva Ecija being always on the side of the opposition,” he added.
Umali stressed that President Aquino’s endorsement of Roxas is definitely not a kiss of death as gleaned from the people’s reaction to his State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA).
“It’s during the term of President Aquino that the image of the Philippines has been upgraded before the international community. Investors are bullish about the economy and the people in the grassroots who are beneficiaries of the CCT (Conditional Cash Transfer) program are very thankful,” he said.
He said the people should appreciate the Chief Executive for being candid and frank.
“It’s a good thing he is not hiding anything. When he is angry, he shows it,” he said.
In the case of Roxas, he said there is only one straight path and treading it should be continued. (PNA)