General Santos City (CNN Philippines) — In General Santos City, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II visited a coconut water processing plant on Friday (April 1).
After touring the place, he spoke to its workers.
A typical scene as Roxas took his campaign around the country, equipped with his message: how local businesses were crucial for creating jobs.
“Ang bawat tao na nagtatrabaho dito ngayon, marahil mga magulang nila magsasaka, mangingisda or naglalako lang sa palengke, nag-sa-sideline. Ngayon, may regular silang trabaho na nagbibigay ng magandang kita sa kanila,” said Roxas.
[Translation: The parents of workers here may be farmers, fishermen, or market vendors, who do extra jobs. Now, they have regular jobs, which give them viable income.]
Roxas, with running mate Leni Robredo other LP bets, brought their campaign to Koronadal City in South Cotabato.
Speaking with reporters in between stops, Roxas hit back at rival Jejomar Binay for again criticizing his work during the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda.
Also read: VP Binay, Tacloban mayor slam Roxas comics
While campaigning in Tacloban, Binay slammed a comic book supposedly made by supporters of Roxas and handed out during an LP event. The comic book depicts Roxas performing heroic feats during the powerful typhoon.
Related: Binay continues campaign in Yolanda-hit regions
“Kini-criticize niyo kung ano ginawa ko sa Yolanda, eh kayo? Dumating lang kayo doon, nagpamigay ng goods na tinatakan niyo pa ng inyong pangalan, tapos umalis na, bumalik ng Manila,” said Roxas.
[Translation: You are criticizing my work during Yolanda, but what about you? You arrived, distributed goods with your name stamped on them, then left for Manila.]
With less than 40 days before the elections, the administration seemed satisfied with their presidential bet’s ranking in a recent Pulse Asia survey.
In a statement, LP spokesman Barry Gutierrez said the party was confident Roxas would rise above propaganda.
“Sa huli, mananaig ang katotohanan. Buong-buo ang aming loob na palakas pa nang palakas ang suporta ng ating mga kababayan kay Mar at Leni, at sila ang magiging number one sa pinakamahalagang survey sa May 9,” said Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrz, spokesman of LP.
[Translation: In the end, the truth will prevail. We believe that the Filipinos’support for Mar and Leni is ever growing and they will emerge number one in the most important survive on May 9.]
Roxas capped off this week’s campaign back in General Santos City. He spoke before representatives from different sectors, promising to ease poverty through “Daang Matuwid” programs.
