A ROXAS presidency will strive for unity but will not appease its corrupt enemies, Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II said Monday night.
“We are trying to reach out to all sectors but we will not tolerate those engaged in the culture of corruption. It’s not a form of appeasement,” Roxas told a group of businessmen in Makati.
The Aquino administration has filed many charges against its perceived enemies in the pursuit of what it calls the “straight path,” and those include Vice President Jejomar Binay, another candidate for the presidency, over an allegedly overpriced parking building in Makati.
Roxas, without mentioning names, lashed out at the other candidates who, he said, were claiming to espouse the same ideals as his party.
His spokesman earlier slammed survey-front-runner Senator Grace Poe over what he described as her “confusing” campaign platform focusing on the “continuity” of reforms.
“With all due respect to the late FPJ [Fernando Poe Jr., Grace’s father], what did he really start when he was never elected into office?” Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez said.
“He was not really elected President so whatever he planned to do did not take shape. So what did he initiate? That’s the point here.
“Poe’s claims are confusing. It’s neither administration nor opposition or perhaps both,” he added.
Roxas, who was criticized by netizens over his response to Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez during the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Yolanda,” was asked whether he “felt vindicated” after Romualdez’s apology during a commemorative ceremony in Tacloban City.
“Vindication is not something I look for. I know what I did,” Roxas said.
“I know that I was there the day before Yolanda, and it comes with the job. If you cannot stand criticism, don’t aspire for this job.’’
