I had just about given up on our politics and politicians when, out of the blue, Sen. Mar Roxas calls a press conference to announce that he was no longer running for President, but was instead stepping aside to support Sen. Noynoy Aquino for President.
His reasons: to avoid divisions in his party and to wage a larger, more focused campaign for the opposition in 2010.
I believe him! I want to believe him. Here is a man who is saying that he’s laying down his dream for a bigger dream. I had to stand up and give a standing ovation after that announcement. My wife was in tears.
Here at last is a Filipino we could be proud of. For the longest time our pride rested on boxers and sports figures. Now comes a Filipino politician who’s giving up much of what he’s built up, because he has the nation at heart.
There is a clamor of Noynoy for President, which will only get louder as the 2010 elections draw near. Mar Roxas heard it and made his voice a part of it. Now let’s see if the other opposition presidential aspirants will follow suit. If not, they will only look self-serving.
Thank you, Sen. Mar Roxas! You not only showed what true statesmanship is, you have also inadvertently issued a challenge to the other presidential runners; a challenge they will not be able to ignore.
