ROXAS CITY (Updated) -- President Benigno Aquino III joined the kick-off rally of the Liberal Party's lineup, asking the people of Capiz to support the administration bets to continue the gains of the Daang Matuwid advocacy that he has espoused in the past five years.
In his speech during the launch of the administration candidates, the President said the May elections will be a referendum on whether or not the people will support Daang Matuwid.
"Kayo po ang magdedesisyon kung ang pagbabagong ating tinatamasa ay magiging permanente o tatanawin lang bilang panandaliang bakasyon sa isang mahabang kasaysayan ng laganap na katiwalian at kahirapan," he said.
He noted that his advocacy has already transformed the country -- from being a "sick man of Asia", the Philippines has become the fastest growing economy in the world, surpassing even the region's biggest economies.
As a result of a stronger economy, he said, the government has lifted 7.7 million people out of poverty and completed major infrastructure projects that help the people.
The President cited that the Department of Public Works and Highways has allotted P7.29 billion for infrastructure projects in Capiz from 2011 to 2016.
The figure, he said, is three times bigger than the P2.18 billion budget allocated for the province from 2005 to 2010.
The Chief Executive further reported that all the target sitios in Capiz under the Sitio Electrification Program have been energized as of last month.
Aquino noted that as his term nears its end, he wants a successor who will continue his programs.
"Dapat masiguro ko sa inyo, bago ako umalis, nasa mas maayos na kalagayan kayo na aking mga boss. Mahalaga pong masiguro na ang mga susunod na pinuno ay itutuloy ang Daang Matuwid," he said.
"Hindi na ako magpapaligoy-ligoy pa, ang kailangan ay ang kapareho ng ating pananaw, ang nagmamahal sa Pilipino at tiyak na uunahin ang bayan bago ang sarili. Walang iba po kundi ang tambalang Mar (Manuel) Roxas at Leni Robredo."
The President lauded Roxas' achievements at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as he responded from crisis to crisis.
He said that as interior secretary, Roxas created an anti-criminality drive in the National Capital Region by launching the "Oplan Lambat Sibat".
"Ang resulta: ang dating 919 na insidente kada linggo ng robbery, theft, at carnapping mula Enero hanggang Hunyo 2014, napababa sa 375 noong Hulyo 2014 hanggang Abril 2015. Mahigit 50 porsyento pong pagbaba ito sa bilang ng krimen kada linggo, kaya’t mas marami nating kababayan ang nailalayo sa peligro. Dahil po sa epektibong implementasyon ng programa, inilunsad na rin ang ‘Oplan Lambat Sibat’ sa iba pang rehiyon," the President said.
He also said that Roxas has proven his competence and integrity with his quick response to such crises as the Zamboanga siege, the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu, and Typhoon Yolanda that devastated Eastern Visayas.
Roxas, for his part, vowed to continue the Daang Matuwid.
"Malaking karangalan po para sa amin na nagsi-dalo po kayo lahat dito sa araw na ito, sa ating paglungsad ng panibagong yugto ng ating laban para sa pagpapatuloy ng Daang Matuwid," said Roxas.
Roxas said Daang Matuwid legacy should continue since its foundation started many milestones in less than six years.
"Kunkreto ang mga plano at gawain na isinusulong natin. Nasimulan na natin ito, Napagtagumpayan na natin ito, at malayo na ang ating narating," said Roxas.
Aside from lauding the success of President Benigno Aquino III's various social programs for the poor especially the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Roxas disclosed that his main platforms and advocacy will focus mainly on three freedoms — freedom from hunger, freedom from fear and freedom to dream.
"Ang programa natin ay nakatutok sa tagumpay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Sisiguraduhin natin na ang bawat pamilya ay malaya sa gutom, malaya sa takot at malayang mangarap. Yan ang ating ipinaglalaban, yan ang alam ko, yan ang kaya ko, at yan ang gagawin nating lahat," said Roxas.
He said that if he is elected president, the country's business process outsourcing and manufacturing sectors will be given more attention so that it can attract additional foreign investments that can generate more jobs for the Filipinos.
Despite his poor ratings in the latest Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia surveys, Roxas' allies in the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid believed the ruling party's machinery "will kick in" and bring him closer to the presidency in a slowly but surely manner.
"I am confident that his numbers will rise… It is (only) a matter of knowing him more," said former Justice Secretary and senatorial bet Leila de Lima.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who is eyeing for a reelection, said that many voters remain undecided up to now and there is a big chance that they will vote for Roxas.
"He is doing well, 35 percent (of the voters) can still change their minds," said Recto.
After the proclamation rally in Capiz, the administration coalition went for a motorcade parade from Roxas City up to Iloilo City later in the afternoon.
The Liberal Party's senatorial candidates include Senator Franklin Drilon, former Justice secretary Leila de Lima, former Pampanga governor Mark Lapid, former senator Panfilo Lacson, and COOP NATCCO Party List representative Cresente Paez, Senator Teofisto Guingona III, former Akbayan representative Riza Hontiveros, former senator Francisco Pangilinan, former energy secretary Jericho Petilla, Senator Ralph Recto, and DILG assistant secretary for Muslim Affairs Nariman Ambolodto. (SDR/John Carlo Cahinhinan/Sunnex)