Mar Roxas Explains Why He's Not Running for Senator in 2019, "Parang Wrong Timing Kasi"

Defeated presidential candidate Mar Roxas finally breaks his sllence on why he decided not to run for senator in the 2019 midterm elections. This comes a few days after Senator Francis Pangilinan confirmed that the former DILG secretary is not included in the latest list of senatorial candidates of Liberal Party (LP).

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“I’ve spoken to him (Roxas) personally and he declined our invitation …parang sinabi niya na he would rather not be included. But as far as I know, there are still those who are convincing him to run.” Pangilinan, LP president, said in an interview with GMA-7's News To Go last Monday.

On the other hand, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said on Tuesday that Roxas might eventually change his mind and that the latter is still very loyal to LP. ”Well siguro baka He’s still weighing his options. Siguro iniisip niya kung tingin nya na ayaw na sa kanya ng mamamayang Pilipino, bakit pa siya tatakbo.." He said.

On Friday, Mar Roxas sent a text message to selected news reporters who asked him to comment on the issue. According to him, his supporters are convincing him to run in 2019. However, he explained that the current political environment is very different as compared to his time when we was still in the government.

"Parang wrong timing na kasi. Dati, walang social media at kilala natin ang mga kritiko natin. Ngayon, kahit sino na lang pwedeng sumira sa image na pinaghirapan mo ng ilang panahon. Kaya dapat pag-aralan muna talaga mabuti ang gagawing strategy bago magdesisyon kung tatakbo o hindi." He said.

(I think the timing is really wrong. Before there's no social media at we know who our critics are. Unlike today, anyone can easily destroy the image you have built over the years. That's why we should study the strategy first before we decide to run or not.)



So far, among the LP senatoriables in 2019 are re-electionist Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino, former Quezon Representative Erin Tanada, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman Chel Diokno, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, former Akbayan party-list Representative Barry Gutierrez, and actress Agot Isirdo.

Contributed by Orlando Gagui