Lastimoso: Roxas’s move to unify LP, opposition
ROXAS CITY – Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and Manila Rail Transit (MRT) general manager retired Gen. Roberto “Bobby” Lastimoso said that the decision of Sen. Mar Roxas to just support the presidential bid of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in 2010 election will unify the Liberal Party (LP) and the other opposition groups.
Lastimoso made this statement yesterday over RMN-dyVR where he was guest at the “Straight to the Point” program hosted by Ely Abarra.
According to him, both the LP factions under Atienza and Franklin Drilon and other party stalwarts unite as one for Sen. Mar Roxas’s decision to support Noynoy.
He said that he was sad and surprised to know about the abrupt decision of Sen. Mar Roxas to withdraw from running for president, however, he salutes and admired the senator for sacrificing himself for the sake of the Filipino people.
“We lost our chance as Capizeños to have a presidentiable like Sen. Mar Roxas,” Lastimoso said adding that Mar will still have a chance in the future.
Lastimoso, who was recently declared to run as congressman in the 2nd district of Capiz, said that the decision of the senator has advantage and disadvantages in the local political scene in Capiz.
On the other hand, City Mayor Vicente Bermejo during the weekly ‘coffee talk’ with the local media also shared the same sentiments.
“I have no idea of the things which happened so fast that triggered during the death of former president Cory Aquino,” Bermejo said.
According to him, he is sad to know that Mar Roxas withdrew from the presidential race since he is very ready to run for president compared to Noynoy Aquino.
Last Tuesday evening, Roxas announced that he is giving way to Noynoy which he considered as the toughest decision in his life.
“We agreed, let us forget about ourselves,” he said of his conversation with Noynoy. “This is not about us. This is about our people and our country.”
“I do this for unity and in support of change. And it means that somebody should make a sacrifice. It must be me. Ako na,” Roxas said.