PNoy to barangay captains: Go for experienced Roxas-Robredo tandem

President Benigno Aquino III made a pitch for administration standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo Thursday by urging voters to elect leaders with a proven track record instead of gambling the country’s future by choosing untested politicians.

Speaking at the forum of the Liga ng mga Barangay at the Philippine International Convention Center, Aquino called the team-up of Roxas and Robredo as the only “real” tandem who will be able to sustain the gains made by the administration.

Addressing the housands of barangay captains who were at the forum, the President said: “Ang lahat ng napagtagumpayan natin ay umpisa pa lamang ng transpormasyon at kayo ang magsasabi kung magtutuluy-tuloy tayo. Para nga ho mangyari ito, kailangan nating ihalal ang tunay na tambalang magpapatuloy ng Daang Matuwid. Para sa akin po, walang iba 'yan kundi si Mar Roxas at Leni Robredo.”

Aquino said he trusts his “bosses”— the public—to make the right decision and choose leaders with experience come election day on May 9.

“Tiwala nga ako sa aking mga boss: Pipiliin ninyo ang tama at makatuwiran. Papanig sa may paninindigan at mayroon nang napatunayan. At talagang dadalhin ng ating bansa sa dapat nitong kalagyan,” he said.

To emphasize the need to choose the right leaders, Aquino asked the audience if they would rather go for candidates whose mettle have already been proven or if they would rather leave the country’s fate to the wind.

“Mayroon kasabihan: Kakahirit baka ma-pusoy. Tayo nama’y politiko lahat dito. Alam nating… ang dami na nga hong alam natin habang binibigkas pa lang mapapako na. Saan tayo pupunta? Sa sigurado o sa bahala na? Palagay ko kung maayos tayo mag-isip, dito na tayo sa sigurado,” he said.

Roxas was at the Liga ng mga Barangay forum with other Cabinet officials such as Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento while Robredo was not around. —KG, GMA News