After yielding to Noynoy, Mar open to VP post or reelection

After he passed on the torch to Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III as the Liberal Party’s standard bearer in the 2010 elections, Sen. Manuel Roxas II on Wednesday said that he is open to becoming Aquino’s running mate or to just seek reelection in next year's polls. A day after he "sacrificed" his shot at the presidency, Roxas said that he sees no reason why he should not continue serving the public. Roxas’ term as a senator expires in 2010. “Walang dahilan kung bakit ‘di ko iko-continue. Bukas ako diyan (vice presidency or senatorial bid), pero hindi akin ang desisyon, kasi kusang-loob kong sinabi kay Noynoy na (siya) ang magiging torchbearer ng forces of reform," Roxas said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Hirit. (I do not see any reason why I should not continue. I am open to seeking the vice presidency or reelection, but the decision is not mine because I wholeheartedly told Noynoy that he will be the torchbearer of the forces of reform.)

Nonoy has yet to announce whether he would indeed seek the presidency following Roxas’ decision. The only son of former President Corazon Aquino and the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. will reportedly make an announcement later in the day. Roxas likewise stressed that his giving way to Aquino came with no strings attached. He added that he and Aquino made no “transaction" that he would slide down as Noynoy's running mate. “Hindi ako pumasok sa public service para sa ibang dahilan kundi magsilbi. ‘Wag nating bahiran ito ng horse-trading (I entered public service for the sole purpose of being of service. Let us not taint it with horse-trading)," Roxas said. In a separate interview on dzBB radio, Roxas said that in elections, some politicians eyeing the presidency make “deals" with their possible running mates. “Usually, sa pulitiko, sasabihin, mag-slide ka na. Mag-vice ka na lang sa akin (Usually, some politicians tell other aspirants, slide down and become my vice president)." 'Hardest sacrifice' While he reiterated that giving up his presidential bid was the hardest sacrifice he had to make in his life, Roxas said he felt at peace because he was confident that he knew he did the right thing even if his decision saddened his loved ones. In the television interview, Roxas said that when he got off the stage after making his announcement Tuesday night, his mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas, told him she was “proud" of him. “Sinabi niya, ‘I’m proud of you.’ 'Di mo maitatanggal yung may emotion, may lungkot, may disappointment. Pero yung pinakamabigat ay nung bumababa ako sa stage, at sinabi niya, ‘I’m proud of you.’" (My mother told me she was proud of me. Of course, there were the emotions, the sadness, and disappointment. But what’s important is she told me she was proud of me.) Roxas also said that his fiancée, broadcaster Korina Sanchez, assured him that she has her continued support. "She (Sanchez) said, ‘I love you no matter what,’" Roxas said. Roxas also said that Liberal Party chairman emeritus and former Senate President Jovito Salonga told him that when his “compass" is pointing to the nation’s welfare, he could not go wrong. “Hindi ka magkakamali basta para sa bansa ang direksyon mo (You cannot go wrong when you’re directed to helping the country)," Roxas quoted Salong as saying. - GMANews.TV