MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Noli de Castro endorsed Liberal Party vice-presidential candidate Senator Mar Roxas over his radio dzMM program on Saturday morning.
"Vice President Mar Roxas," De Castro said before opening his radio dzMM program "Para Sa 'Yo Bayan."
Roxas was the lone guest at radio dzMM's "Magandang Morning" program and was about to leave the station when De Castro made the remark.
The incumbent vice-president said on air that he was planning to include a portrait of Roxas in the vice presidents’ gallery.
"Ang gumawa kasi ng gallery sa Office of the Vice President, namatay na iyon eh. Pagagawan ko sana ng painting ito," De Castro announced, but jokingly added, "Hindi. Just in case lang."
Roxas was supposed to run for president under the Liberal Party ticket, but opted out of the race to give way to Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
Roxas was lagging behind pre-election surveys for presidential bets, but his voting preference went up when he declared his vice-presidential run.
The senator has been leading vice-presidential surveys.
Nacionalista Party's guest vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Loren Legarda, who has consistently placed 2nd in vice-presidential surveys, is a rival of Roxas in the May 10 polls and was De Castro's chief opponent in 2004.
Legarda actively pursued an election protest against De Castro after losing in the 2004 vice-presidential race.
Almost confident
Despite his wide lead in the surveys, Roxas said he and LP presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who has also been leading the surveys, cannot relax in the campaign.
He said they would still go around the country to lay down their platform of government to the voters.
The tandem is advocating change and a corrupt-free government.
“No. Actually last night [we went around Quezon and Laguna], presenting our platform of government to the people,” Roxas said.
The senator said that people have been warmly welcoming them in their sorties.
He urged their supporters to be vigilant during the May 10 elections.