MANILA (Updated) -- Senator Mar Roxas will no longer run for president in 2010 and will instead support Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, now a contender amid a renewed wave of affection for his late parents.

“I choose to lead unity not division… Today, I'm announcing my support for Noynoy Aquino for his candidacy as president for 2010,” said Roxas.

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Roxas, who intended to run for president himself, told Liberal Party (LP) members and supporters that making way for Aquino was the most difficult decision he had ever made but that he is doing it for the country.

“This is the most difficult decision I've ever made. Believe it or not, I'm doing this for the country...for my fellow Filipinos. I do this for unity in support of change and if that means that somebody should make a sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na,” he said.

Former Cabinet secretary and congressman Florencio Abad of the LP told ABS-CBN that Aquino and Roxas met during the weekend.

In that meeting, Roxas said that Aquino made it clear to him that “he wants to carry the torch of leadership."

“Hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noynoy. I will stand with him,” Roxas said.

Aquino, however, has not yet declared his plans for 2010.

Despite clamors for him to seek the presidency after the death of his mother former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the senator said he needs more time to make a decision.

He said in a television interview Tuesday that his family wants him to go on a retreat first before making any decision.

Roxas, on the other hand, did not say whether he will run for vice president or seek reelection. He issued his statement Tuesday in a press conference held at the Club Filipino in San Juan City.

Interesting development

In Malacañang, Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio described Roxas’s announcement as “very interesting development.”

“It’s a very interesting development. It will definitely complicate matters further for the opposition more than it will affect the administration coalition,” he said.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for his part, reiterated his full support for Roxas, whatever position he will pursue in 2010, but he said he won’t automatically support Aquino if he decides to run for president.

Osmeña said Tuesday night that Roxas’s decision to give way to Aquino and support his candidacy shows his unselfishness, which he said makes him a great leader.

Now that Roxas has backed out from the presidential race, the mayor said he would consider supporting senators Loren Legarda or Francis Escudero.

He said, though, that he would still have to consult other members of his party to decide who they will support this time.

“Senator Aquino is a nice guy, but for me Mar has much better abilities. The fact that he’s willing to slide down shows that he’s unselfish. When someone is willing to make a sacrifice like that, it proves that he’s even more deserving to be president. More than ever, I will support him,” Osmeña told Sun.Star Cebu shortly after Roxas’s televised announcement.

Although he thinks that Aquino is a decent and respectable person, the mayor said that for him, Roxas is still more capable to serve as president.

Prelate’s advice

Noting that good intention is out of the question, a Catholic bishop advised Senator Aquino to determine if he could fulfill the expectations of the people if he decides to run for a higher office.

“Good intentions count but one should also ask himself if he has the capacity and the skills,” Imus cavite Bishop Luis Tagle said.

Likewise, he urged the only son of the late former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Cory to evaluate his performance as a legislator before he pursues his plan to run in 2010.

“Maybe he should ask himself of his track record as a congressman and senator. Was he able to show the know-how or the skills for him to go the next level?” the prelate said.

Tagle, however, said it is not only Aquino who should ask himself about his accomplishments but also the other politicians who are planning to run in next year’s polls.

He noted that the problem with some people is that they usually push people to run just because they are popular.

“If a person is popular or winnable, people usually encourage them to run. But this is not just a question of a person’s winnability. The question is what the person can do once elected,” Tagle said.

People’s campaign

Meanwhile, the National Selection Council of the People's Primaries welcomed on Tuesday Aquino's call for a people's campaign and clamor for his planned candidacy.

“We believe it is an opportunity for him to continue the unfinished legacy of his parents for the institutionalization of people power and people empowerment,” the group said in a statement.

The People’s Primaries is a process that empowers Filipino voters to pre-select candidates only from among the People's reform candidates and not the “trapos” (traditional politicians) who have enslaved the nation for decades in their greed and corruption.

It has begun building up a nationwide constituency in the 219 congressional districts. It has a system to provide the people a voice in their choice not only for national but also for local positions.

The clamor for Aquino to run for a higher position was mounted following the death of his mother last August 1.

“The passing of our beloved President Cory has reawakened a passion among us,” Senator Roxas said. “I see this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream.”

The August 5 funeral of former President Cory, who died four days earlier of colon cancer, drew the largest crowds in the country since she led the 1986 “people power” revolt that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

The scenes brought back images of the anti-dictatorship rallies that followed the 1983 assassination of her husband and the 1986 revolt.

Roxas is the grandson of LP’s founder, late post-war President Manuel Roxas. He is the son of former LP leader Gerardo Roxas, who was considered a rival of Ninoy Aquino as its presidential nominee before Marcos declared martial law in 1972 and padlocked Congress. (Kathrina Alvarez/FP/With LCR of Sun.Star Cebu/Sunnex)