Team DailyPedia
In his latest advertisement, Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas III labeled himself as “Kalaban ng mga Bully” ( Enemy of bullies).
The said ad also featured members of the Roxas family including former President Manuel Roxas as “Arkitekto ng modernong republika” (Architect of the modern republic) and Senator Gerry Roxas as “Tinik sa tagiliran ng diktaturya” (Thorn in the side of dictatorship).
In the midst of a heated word war with fellow presidentiable Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in December last year, Roxas stated that he is running as president to fight bullies.
He said, “Tumatakbo ako sa pagkapangulo dahil itong mga bully, itong mga nagsasamantala, itong mga humahadlang sa mga kaginhawahan ng ating mga kababayan—sila ang dapat na labanan. At talaga namang lalabanan natin sila.”
( I am running for president in order to fight bullies who take advantage and impede the progress of our fellowmen. They are the ones we have to fight. And we are really going to fight them.)
Trying to steer focus away from Duterte’s so-called slap challenge in relation to his alleged non-existent Wharton degree, Roxas said he is not afraid to face Duterte. He even went on to challenge the tough-talking mayor to a fistfight, if needed.
“Ako galit ako sa bully. Galit ako sa mga nagsasamantalaga. Galit ako sa mga naghahari-hari. Galit ako sa mga mabibigat ang kamay. Galit ako sa mga taong akala nila sila lang ang kapangyarihan dito sa bansa natin. Kaya kung hindi ka pa nakakaharap ng iyong katapat, Digong, nandito ako. Hindi kita aatrasan,” Roxas said.
(I’m angry at bullies. I’m angry at opportunists. I’m angry at those who act like kings. I’m angry at violent people. I’m angry at those who think they are the only ones with power in this country. If you haven’t found your match, Digong, I’m here. I won’t back down.)
