By Sammy F. Martin
MANILA, Oct. 15, (PNA) — The standard bearer of Coalition ng Daang Matuwid Mar Roxas and his Vice Presidential aspirant Leni Robredo filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) on Thursday at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) main office.
But before the tandem file their individual COCs, Roxas and Robredo joined President Benigno S. Aquino III in a mass at the Manila Cathedral.
They were accompanied by Roxas’ wife Korina Sanchez-Roxas, Robredo’s three daughters Aika, Tricia, and Jillian, and other members and supporters of the coalition.
After the mass, President Aquino, Roxas, and Robredo, together with their families, supporters, and other members of the Liberal Party partook of snacks in Plaza Roma, Intramuros, where they were joined by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary Ina Ambolodto, a member of the LP’s senatorial slate.
The supporters wore yellow shirts and slippers, and carried placards stating “Di baleng nakatsinelas lang, basta’t nakakatulong sa bayan – Robredo” and “Hindi ngawa kundi gawa, tatak ROXAS!” while consistently chanting “Mar-Leni” and “Oras Na, Roxas Na.”
Roxas, Robredo, and Ambolodto entered the COMELEC Office to personally file their respective COCs.
In his statement, Roxas said that all the members of the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid trust the good judgement of the Filipino people in voting for the country’s next set of leaders.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa lahat ng mga kandidato na tumayo nitong nakaraan. Tumakbo sila ng may tiwala sa ating demokrasya at tiwala sa kakayahan ng ating mga kababayan na pumili ng tama. Kami po ni Leni ay naniniwala din po sa ating mga kababayan ay pipili ng tama sa ngalan ng Eleksyon 2016,” he told their supporters.
Roxas also stressed that Team Daang Matuwid will be giving their all in serving the Filipino people.
“Ibibigay po namin ang lahat sa laban na ito. Ito ang laban nadapat lang ipaglaban,” Roxas said. “Laban para sa ating mga kababayan, laban para sa lahat ng pamilyang pilipino at sa kaginhawaan na tinatangan nila.”
In her short speech, Robredo thanked everyone who expressed their all-out support for the Daang Matuwid tandem, especially those who welcomed them in Plaza Roma.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating mga kababayan na nandito ngayong umaga upang ipakita ang kanilang tiwala, suporta sa amin.” Robredo said. “Sa paghahain ko po ng aking COC, iniaalay ko po ang aking sarili sa mas malawak na paglilingkod-bayan, sa pagtakbo bilang inyong Bise-Presidente.”
Robredo also mentioned Team Daang Matuwid’s vision for the Filipino people.
“Pagpapatuloy, pagsusulong, at lalong pagpapalawak ng makabuluhang pagbabago na sinimulan ng ating mahal na Pangulo. Naniniwala po kami na ang Daang Matuwid ang siyang magpapatuloy ng maayos na pamamahala at pagbibigay serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga mahirap.” (PNA)