ROXAS: NOYNOY AND I TOGETHER "THROUGH HELL, HIGH WATER"
LP UNITED AND STRONG FOR 2010 VICTORY, INTRIGUES USELESS

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today shrugged off as useless efforts to sow intrigues between him and Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino over who should become standard bearer of the Liberal Party in the 2010 elections as "we will always be together through hell and high water."

Roxas, though, said there is no turning back for him on his plans to pursue the presidency in next year's elections.

"Our people may rest assured of my resolve to serve them as president, and that I will be there at the starting line when the race starts. There is no turning back for me. I want to make big changes in our country and the presidency is the only vantage point at which that can be done," he said.

Roxas thanked Senator Aquino for supporting his bid for the presidency, reiterating that Noynoy's supporters are "always part of my political equation and any decision I make."

Aquino said Friday Roxas remains to be the LP standard bearer for the 2010 elections, as previously declared by party leaders during their anniversary early this year. LP stalwart and former Senate President Jovito Salonga had endorsed a Roxas-Aquino tandem for next year's polls.

"I sincerely thank Noynoy for his support. He is a leader forged in the crucible of deep sacrifice and personal pain. We respect each other and we will always be together through hell and high water. He has many and great supporters and we share with them the same ideals of selfless and decent governance. His supporters are always part of my political equation and any decision I make," Roxas said.

He said he would discuss the possibility of their running together in the 2010 national and local elections "at the right time."

"I don't want to assume anything or impose any expectations on him (Noynoy) at this time. I do not preempt my friends on their personal decisions,"

Roxas said the LP will soon start a selection process for its standard bearer in the 2010 presidential election that he will submit himself into.

"We in the Liberal Party take this seriously and this process will take place soon. I shall submit myself to that process just like all our predecessors in the party did. We practice democracy and will not do an anointment like the others," he said.

Roxas said efforts to divide the LP at this time will fail, noting the strong desire by party leaders to ensure the reform forces' victory in the 2010 elections. The LP recently forged a partnership with the Akbayan Partylist Group and is also talking with other political and sectoral groups to mobilize a strong network that will ensure victory and guard against cheating.

"Our opponents are spending their time trying to divide the LP and foment intrigues. They are wasting their time. We are a party molded by principle and sacrifice. We cannot be easily divided and the more they try to sow intrigues, the more united and tenacious we will be in fighting for our cause," he added.