I am not really sure if this is a good move or a good sign; I think that Noynoy is a better candidate than Roxas. If the presidentiable that they asked to step down is Villar, Noynoy will probably snag the presidency in 2010. What a great shifting of events.

Though I know Roxas has been preparing since 1994; his sign, him getting the top spot in the Senatorial polls, to presidency wasn’t enough to break an inevitable twist that the Cory Magic has brought to the feisty Philippine politics.

This should be exciting.

—

Roxas throws support for Aquino in 2010

‘Most difficult decision I had to make’
By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:31:00 09/01/2009

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 2) Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas is no longer running for president in 2010 and has thrown his support behind the candidacy of Senator Benigno Aquino “Noynoy” Aquino III if he would decide to run for the highest post in the land.

“Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for president in 2010,” said Roxas in a prepared statement he read at a press conference at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Calling his decision, the “most difficult” that he had to make in his entire life, Roxas said he did it party unity and for the country.

Roxas has not officially declared his presidential bid but some of his colleagues in the Liberal Party have publicly endorsed his candidacy.

Roxas’ decision came amid the increasing clamor for Senator Aquino to continue the legacy of his parents – the late president Corazon “Cory” Aquino and martyred senator Benigno Aquino Jr. – by running for a higher post.

Senator Aquino, who was in the same function room at Club Filipino where Roxas made his announcement, has yet to decide whether or not to seek the presidency.

Broadcaster Korina Sanchez, who is engaged to Roxas, was seen crying as the senator made his speech.

As LP president Roxas said it is within his power to preside over a “potentially divisive process” or to make a bridge for the forces of change.

“I choose to lead the unity, not division,” he said. “As party president, I made the decision. I love the Liberal Party. My father founded it.”

“I do this for unity in support of change,” Roxas said. “And if that means that somebody must make the sacrifice, Roxas said, “it must be me.”

Roxas said he reached the decision after “many long conversations” with Aquino over the weekend.

“We agreed: ‘Let us forget about ourselves for a moment. This is not about us. This is about our people and our country. This is about our common dream, the dream of our parents’,” he said.

“But let us not remain a country of dreamers,” he said. “Let’s act now.”

During their conversation, Roxas said Aquino had made it clear to him that he would like to carry the torch of leadership.

Roxas said the passing of former president Aquino has “reawakened a passion among us.”

“I acknowledge this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream,” he said.

“To you Noy, I say, I began the campaign to sow the seeds for change and reforms. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership,” Roxas said.

Also present at the press conference were LP officials: Chairman Emeritus Jovito Salonga, secretary general Neric Acosta, spokesman Erin Tañada; and other party members like Congressmen Rufino Biazon and Antonio Abaya; former Civil Service Commission chief Karina David, former social welfare secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, and former defense secretary Avelino Cruz.

Also seen was Roxas’ mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas