Roxas blasts political turncoats; LP boasts of ties with political families

Political turncoatism is rearing its ugly head as the campaign for the May 9 general elections heats up, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas said in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

But the silver lining is it is an opportunity for people to know who among their local officials are pursuing the “Daang Matuwid” brand of good governance and who are going astray, Roxas said.

Roxas was reacting to reports that Talisay Mayor Johnny delos Reyes reportedly left the LP fold for another candidate.

“It is a good thing that he showed his true colors. It was better that he left if he is not in any way with us in Daang Matuwid, where our principle is for good governance,” Roxas explained.

“Those who are not with ‘Daang Matuwid’ want the old ways and dirty leadership. That makes it easier for our ‘kababayans’ to choose their next leaders,” he added.

He said that such movements in political alliances, especially in the local level, are no longer a surprise.

“We, the Team Daang Matuwid, remain solid and united in fighting for good governance,” he pointed out.

Roxas said the “Daang Matuwid” enrolled 4.5 million Filipinos under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that helped 330,000 high school students graduate last year, and expanded the coverage of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to 6.5 million patients.

Rivals assailed As this developed, Roxas scoffed at claims that his rival, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, will easily win in the vote-rich province of Cavite because of the backing of Gov. Jonvic Remulla.

“First of all, Cavite is for the Caviteño. Nobody owns Cavite,” Roxas told reporters over claims that Cavite is a Binay country.

Binay beat Roxas in the vice presidential race in 2010 elections in Cavite by more or less 200,000 votes.

Cavite currently has some 1.8 million registered voters for this year’s elections.

Roxas believes that the battle to win Cavite is based on the platform and presentation of proofs that the Aquino administration has initiated programs and projects in the province.

LP president Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the administration party is banking on the support system from local officials who have already declared full support to Roxas and his running mate, Leni Robredo.

“Here in Cavite, six of the seven congressmen support Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo,” said Abaya. He said all the six congressmen are running unopposed, meaning, they will be full time to campaign for Mar-Leni tandem.

He added that LP has made strong alliances with political families here in Cavite. Among those who support the Mar-Leni tandem are the Barzaga, Maliksi, Abaya, and Ferrer clans.

The LP bared this alliances days after Roxas dismissed the influence of political families in Cebu, who are supporting his rivals.

“Alam mo yan mga malalaking pamilya, ibigay mo na sa kanila (Give the big families to them),” Roxas told reporters, referring to big names in Cebu who are supporting Binay and the other presidential candidates.