Roxas: No government role for Korina in my administration

Former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said on Sunday that he was not keen his wife, Korina Sanchez, taking a role in government if he wins the presidential elections in May.

In an interview with GMA News anchor Mel Tiangco for “Wanted: President,” Roxas added that Sanchez, his wife of more than six years, would continue to be a “homemaker” even if they moved to the Malacañan Palace, the official residence of the chief executive.

“Well ang pinakaimportanteng role na ginagampanan niya at gagampanan niya ay ang pagiging misis ko... So wala siyang, hindi ko nakikita na magkakaron siya ng role sa pamahalaan, hindi ko nakikita na sasabak siya o sasama siya sa pamamalakad ng ating bansa,” Roxas explained.

“Kaya nasabi ko na ang role niya ay pagiging misis ko, bilang homemaker, supportive ganun. Sa pagitan ng dalawang mag-asawa eh confidant.”

Sanchez, a broadcast journalist and host of television magazine program “Rated K”, will become the country’s First Lady if Roxas is elected president.

Asked whether he considers Sanchez to be an asset or liability to his candidacy, Roxas said: “She's definitely an asset, I mean I love her, she loves me, we have a good family life.”

‘Inspiration’

The 58-year-old Roxas wed Sanchez in 2009, a month after he shelved his intention to run for president to give way to then Senator Benigno Aquino III. Roxas ran as vice president instead, but lost to then Makati Mayor and now Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Roxas, the standard bearer of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), said Sanchez was also an inspiration when it came to her "Tsinelas Campaign", which provides free rubber flip-flops to the poor, especially children.

“I find that really very very uplifting kasi, and inspiring. Kasi parang napakaordinaryo, yung tsinelas lang, pero nakikita ko sa mga videos, kung minsan nakakasama ako, nag-a-uplift ng dignidad eh. Hindi lang yung pisikal na nagkakaroon ng tsinelas yung tao pero yung parang hindi na siya nakayapak,” he explained.

Asked what he thinks of voters who are Sanchez’s critics, Roxas said: “Of course, naghahanap tayo ng boto, of course naghahanap tayo ng suporta pero misis ko ‘to. Mahal ko siya at salamat na lang, 'di ba?”

Roxas also reveled that he and 51-year-old Sanchez were still trying to conceive a child. “Whether I'm president or not, I wish to have a baby, another baby, another child. And many more,” he said.

Roxas has a son, Paolo, from a previous relationship with former beauty queen Maricar Zaldarriaga. — ALG/DVM, GMA News