Roxas: The Fight For Change Starts

Liberal Party standard-bearers Senators Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III and Mar Roxas flash the Laban sign as they hold their certificate of candidacy filed before the COMELEC last week. Aquino and Roxas pledged to continue to heed collective thirst and hunger of people for change. They pledged to fight the crooked and corrupt. (Photo by Gil Nartea)

Liberal Party standard bearers Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Manuel "Mar" Roxas II filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on November 28 as the party’s official Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, respectively, for the 2010 national elections.

Aquino and Roxas filed their CoCs along with the party’s senatorial candidates – former Senate President Franklin Drilon, former Socio economic Planning Sec. Ralph Recto, Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano "Ruffy" Biazon, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto "TG" Guingona, former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus "Neric" Acosta and guest candidates Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel and Sonia Roco of Aksyon Demokratiko.

Detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim has already filed his CoC. He said he would run as an independent but would be an "adopted" candidate of the Liberal Party. Lim, who is detained at the Camp Crame Custodial Center for coup charges, was escorted by several policemen.

A short program was held in front of the Comelec office in Intramuros, where Aquino, Roxas and the senatorial bets delivered short messages before their supporters.

Aquino and Roxas have been the frontrunners in all presidential and vice presidential surveys conducted by reputable polling organizations.

The strong showing of the tandem and their platform anchored on good governance and reforms have drawn in new members to the Liberal Party, among them are Aquino’s girlfriend, Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, actors Richard Gomez and Cesar Montano.

Others who have defected to the party are Quezon City Mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte and Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista; Caloocan City Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri; former Senator Joey Lina; Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio; Gingoog, Misamis Oriental Mayor Ruthie Guingona; Pasay City Vice Mayor Antonio Calixto; and former Laguna Vice Governor Edwin Olivares.

Pangasinan Rep. Victor Agbayani; North Cotabato Rep. Bernardo Piñol, Jr.; Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza of Pangasinan; Cavite Gov. Erineo "Ayong" Malicsi; Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) of Cebu. /MP