Mar Roxas’s struggle

Two years before the 2016 presidential election, we can see political movements and positioning of those aiming for the presidency.

Mar Roxas who is the Liberal Party bet is proposing to extend the six-year term of President Aquino, saying Pnoy has done wonders for the country and deserves a longer time to serve.

I may agree with Roxas’ assessment of Pnoy’s value but I I am mindful that the Constitution provides for only one term for a president. Any variation to fulfill Roxas’ wish would require a constitutional amendment. Otherwsie we better choose someone to continue Aquino’s hard-won reforms.

Today Mar Roxas is the only bet of the Liberal Party. Vice President Binay is the opposition camp’s bet even as other names are being floated. Mar Roxas aspiration to become the next president isn’t going smoothly. The Aquino sisters have cast their support behind Binay, a long time ally of the Aquino family.

I think Roxas feels betrayed that the sisters are supporting his expected opponent for the 2016 election. But the question is why are the Aquino sisters doing so? Did they forget that Roxas sacrificed his presidential ambition to pave the way for Aquino to become president? Their support is a big factor in the equation.

If the Aquino sisters are supporting Binay could their only brother be far behind? The sisters remain a credible and important factor. They have not abused their position as first sisters and enjoy high public respect.

There must be something wrong with Mar Roxas to have lost their support. I think the Aquino sisters owe the Filipinos a clear explanation why they favor Binay over Roxas.

Many are waiting for the sisters to share the information. I know this won’t be an easy pill for Roxas, who faces great difficulty in his candidacy with the Aquino sisters on the opposite camp.

There will come a time that Roxas would entertain doubts about his own loyalty to the Aquino presidency.

Now would it be wise for Roxas to sacrifice again and slide down to be the vice president of Binay?
So far Roxas is not entertaining this at all. It’s too early to compromise with the election two years away.

Many things could still happen. If I were Roxas I would continue with my presidential ambition and work hard to improve my political stock, studyig all possible options given the latest development.

Roxas should keep an open mind in order to survive this political battle. After all he is still young and has a bright future ahead.

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A 14-year-old girl was arrested over the weekend for delivering shabu in barangay Labangon, Cebu City.

This prompted Vice Mayor Eduardo Labella to suggest that the Juvenile Justice Law that protects child offender from going to jail needs review and amendment.

I am against such move because the law was based on a scientific study about child development and behaviour.

Child offenders are victims of the wrongdoings of adults.

We need to protect children from the twisted designs of adults who push children to commit crimes.

Our government officials should learn to be child sensitive and work to strengthen the rights and welfare of minors, especially youth offenders. There are many factors that contribute to their deviant behavior at a very young age.