MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte may be getting all the media attention as the 2016 Philippine presidential elections heat up, but  among all the declared candidates, one person stands out as the true champion of the masses

That would be former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, the anointed successor of President NoyNoy Aquino.

Without much fanfare, Roxas has intentionally avoided the paparazzi, making his rounds of cities and rural communities, feeling the pulse of the masses, and actually living the life 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.

Roxas’ latest display of his empathy for the Filipino masses happened during a recent visit to a rural community in an undisclosed province in Luzon.

While TV cameras and press photographers were not allowed to record Roxas’ rendezvous with the masses, 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.

What more can you ask of a candidate who wants to continue the current administration’s daang matuwid (straight path)?