Roxas supporters push for 2022 presidential run

Supporters of former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II are pushing for a 2022 run for the defeated administration candidate, who placed second in the May presidential race.

Some 2,000 yellow-clad supporters gathered at the Cubao headquarters of the Liberal Party (LP) Wednesday afternoon for a thanksgiving mass and party.

Roxas and running mate Leni Robredo, who eventually won the vice-presidential race, addressed the crowd to express their gratitude for backing their candidacies.

"Hindi kayo bumitiw hanggang matapos ang eleksyon. Nandyan pa rin kayo," Roxas said.

As Roxas spoke, many of his supporters chanted "2022," the year when the next presidential elections will be held.

"Wala munang ganyan," Roxas said.

The Wednesday event was his first public appearance since he lost the elections to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

"Hindi ko made-describe sa inyo yung karangalan, yung fulfillment, yung validation na hinayaan niyo ako magbitbit ng ating bandila nitong nakaraang halalang ito," Roxas said.

"Kailangan natin ipaglaban ang ating bansa. Ipaglaban natin si Leni. Ipaglaban natin tulad noon hanggang sa ngayon, ang katotohanan, ipaglaban natin kung ano ang tama at ipaglaban natin ang ating kinabukasan," he added.

President Benigno Aquino III as well as former Justice Secretary and incoming Senator Leila de Lima also attended the event. —KBK, GMA News