Tag Archives: Elections

Government, Politics

Philippine Presidential Candidate Mar Roxas Adds Another Feather To His Cap

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Philippine presidential candidate Mar Roxas has just added a new feather to his cap.  Indeed, President Aquino’s anointed successor is the undisputed candidate of the masses.

During the aftermath of the worst typhoon to hit the Philippines, Roxas was seen in ground zero overseeing relief operations and giving aid to residents except those who were loyal to his and President Aquino’s political nemesis, the Romualdezes.

When there was a shortage of garlic in the Philippines, he was seen carrying a sack of garlic on his shoulder.

When there was rumor about a rice shortage, he was seen carrying a sack of government rice on his shoulder.

When Metro Manila experienced the worst traffic nightmare ever, he was seen directing traffic in one of Manila’s most congested street intersections.

When Metro Manila’s light railway system (MRT) was the subject of intense criticism for its overcrowding, inefficiency and mismanagement, Roxas was seen riding the train on non-commute hours.

More recently, his campaign released a photo of him eating rice out of a coffee cup and drinking water from a plate. Just like the masses do. Or so he thinks.

Roxas’ latest campaign publicity shows him having a meal in a Southern Leyte public market, just like many  poor people do.

The only thing his campaign staff forgot to do was ask him to wear his tattered t-shirt as previously described by his wife Korina Sanchez.  It would have been more perfect.

Also, there was too much yellow in the publicity photo. Oh well…

Fashion, Politics

MAR ROXAS, THE ‘NEW MAN’ IN PURPLE

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Realizing that President Aquino’s endorsements are not helping a bit in his presidential bid, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas is now distancing himself from the Yellow Administration.

‘I am my own man, and I can win the 2016 presidential elections on my own merit,’ Roxas said.  Since launching his candidacy, Roxas has been riding on the coattails of Aquino, often parroting the administration’s Daang Matuwid (Straight Path) battlecry on anti-government corruption. He has been criticized for always wearing a yellow shirt.

‘From now on, I will rid myself of all vestiges of the Aquino administration, including emptying my closet of all my yellow wardrobe,’ he said.  I will henceforth be the ‘Man in Purple.’

Good for him.

Politics

PRESIDENT AQUINO HEARTBROKEN OVER BREAKUP WITH MAR ROXAS

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – It was a romance of epic proportions that lasted a full six years, one that has never been seen before in the political arena anywhere in the world. It is the romance (or bromance) between Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino and his anointed successor, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

Flashback to the 2010 elections: Roxas was a candidate for president for the Liberal Party, but made the ultimate sacrifice to be the VP candidate instead  to give way to Aquino.  Aquino won the presidency but Roxas lost the VP race to former Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

The romance continued, with Roxas being appointed to various key positions including Transportation Secretary and Interior Secretary. Roxas was a mouthpiece for Aquino’s Daang Matuwid (Straight Path), the administration’s so-so campaign against government corruption.

But the romance has abruptly ended, and Aquino is heartbroken. He is reportedly very depressed and has increased his cigarette smoking from one to three packs a day. He hasn’t been seen in public since.

Roxas initiated the breakup after polls consistently indicated that Aquino’s endorsement of Roxas as his successor has not helped the latter’s prospects in catching up in the ratings race. As to the impact of the President’s endorsement, another survey found that Roxas may not benefit at all from it. An SWS survey last November found that the endorsement had a negative impact on Roxas. This result may have prompted Roxas to revise his campaign strategy by stepping out of the shadow of the President and defining himself as someone other than an Aquino clone.

Will Roxas rise in future polls? It remains to be seen.

Roxas’ campaign is getting ready to launch a new campaign battlecry: Tuwirin ang baluktot na daan (Straighten the crooked path). Stay tuned!