Roxas takes leave of absence from politics to focus on wedding
Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II has taken a leave of absence from politics to focus on his upcoming wedding next week. âNagleave na ako sa pulitika last week pa. Nagpaalam ako kay Noynoy, nagpaalam ako sa partido ko, nagpaalam ako sa opisina ko (I took a leave of absence from politics since last week. I already told Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III about it, I also notified the Liberal Party and my office)," he told reporters after turning over checks worth P2.2 million to six organizations for typhoon victims. The amount was part of the P3 million originally for the reception expenses of his wedding with broadcaster Korina Sanchez on October 27. âPinakamalayo sa kaisipan ko ngayon ang pulitika, ang iniisip ko lang ang aming kasal (Politics is the farthest from my mind now, Iâm focusing on our wedding)," Roxas said. The wedding will be held at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. In lieu of the reception, the couple will be serving refreshments and pandesal after the ceremony. At least 2,000 people including political and show business personalities as well as representatives from various organizations and communities are expected to attend the wedding. The couple will also be hosting a separate dinner for their entourage. Among the principal sponsors are Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Liberal Party chairman emeritus Jovito Salonga, ABS-CBN chairman and chief executive officer Eugenio Lopez III, Roxasâ uncle George Araneta and LP presidential bet Senator Aquino. Cory Aquino Roxas said Noynoy will be taking the place of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, who died on August 1 after almost a year of battle with colon cancer. âSa totoo lang noong hindi pa pumapanaw si Tita Cory, Tita Cory was one of our ninangs (Before Tita Cory died, we have already chosen her as one of our principal sponsors), the senator said. Faced with a so-so performance in opinion polls, Roxas gave up his plan to run for president in 2010, and instead asked Noynoy to lead the Liberal Party. Aquino subsequently asked Roxas to be his runningmate, which the latter accepted. Also included in their list of principal sponsors are Philippine National Red Cross Governor Rosa Rosal; broadcaster Cheche Lazaro; Helen Costales, best friend of Sanchezâs mother; Ruby Roxas; and Baby Araneta-Fores. The senatorâs 16-year-old son, Paolo, will be his best man. Roxas said they made the decision to forego a grand reception for the wedding after seeing the plight of the people affected by typhoons âOndoyâ and âPepengâ. [See: Mar-Korina wedding to push through sans grand reception] He said their respective families were initially shocked with their decision. âAng sabi nila âAno 'yan kasal na walang reception?â ang sabi namin âOo, e di after the church uwian na (They were telling us âWhat, a wedding without a receptionâ and we told them âYes, weâll go home after the weddingâ)," Roxas said. He added, âAko naman bilang groom ginagawa ko lang ito bilang maganda, mabongga for the bride. Kung mismong yung bride nagsasabi na kawawa ang mga tao e OK lang sa akin. Yung kagaanan ng bulsa, naging kagaanan ng puso (Iâm just doing this for my bride. If the bride says that the people need the money more than we do, then itâs OK with me)." The P2.2 million was given to the following relief organizations: ⢠Caritas Philippines, P500,000; ⢠PNRC â P250,000 for its National Blood Service and P250,000 for its storm "Ondoy" account; ⢠GMA Kapuso Foundation, P500,000; ⢠Igan Foundation, P100,000; ⢠ABS-CBN Foundation Kapamilya Shower Na Project, P100,000; and ⢠ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya, P500,000. - GMANews.TV