P-Noy stumps for Mar-Leni, LP Cebu’s lineup in Argao

President Benigno Aquino III (center) with Paolo Roxas (left), son of LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas, and Jessica Marie “Aika” Robredo (right), daughter of LP vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo, raises the hands of Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale during the LP Argao rally. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Who’s qualified to become president of the Philippines?

This was the question posed by President Benigno Aquino III to nearly 4,000 Cebuanos at the Sec. Serge Remonde Sports and Cultural Center during the Liberal Party (LP) rally in Argao town, southern Cebu.

Without waiting for an answer, the President said LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas is qualified because he already did what his rivals are still promising to the public.

He credited Roxas with inviting Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies to establish call centers in the country which employed 1.3 million Filipinos.

Mr. Aquino said the BPO firms will bring in US $25 billion to the country this year.

On criminality, Aquino said Roxas was responsible for the arrests of several wanted criminals in the country as Interior and Local Government secretary.

“Is Vice President Jejomar Binay qualified to become president of the Philippines? Is Sen. Grace Poe qualified to become president of the Philippines? Is Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte qualified to become Philippine president? If we don’t have answers, let’s go back. Who are we sure about? Let’s think about it,” the President said in Filipino.

Aquino said yesterday’s Argao town campaign sortie was his farewell visit, 71 days before his term ends on June 30.

He called on the people to choose a candidate who will continue his administration’s thrust of “Daang Matuwid” (straight path).

Aquino cited the projects that his administration has done for Cebu during his term.

Aquino promised that the 4Ps or Conditional Cash Transfer program will be expanded should Roxas be elected as the next president.

Aquino went up stage at past 4 p.m. when his sister, actress Kris Aquino introduced him. Kris went down the stage and went around the sports and cultural center shaking hands with the people.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale led local government officials of the 2nd and 7th districts during the LP’s rally.

After his speech, Aquino and the local bets of LP did a hand-raising ceremony.

He distributed LP wrist bands before he boarded a waiting vehicle. The President and his contingent left for Manila at 5:10 p.m.