TRANSCRIPT OF SEN. MAR ROXAS' INTERVIEW WITH ANC

On Noynoy's 2010 presidential bid declaration

MAR: Laking tuwa ko dahil may pagkakataon ngayon na mapagsama-sama lahat ng puwersa ng reporma. Nandito ako ngayon sa Club Filipino at damang-dama ko talaga 'yung kauhawan ng ating mga kababayan para maibangon ang ating bansa. Nakikita natin ito kay Senador Noynoy.

Q: What's going to be the next move of the Liberal Party?

MAR: The most important thing is that this is not just the cause of the Liberal Party. This is the cause of all Filipinos who want true reforms. This is not about administration or opposition. There are those in the opposition who are just as 'trapo' as the current administration. This is about reform, this is about pagbabago, this is about transformation of change. At nakikita ko sa kandidatura ni Senador Noynoy na may pagkakakataon tayo dito.

Q: Aquino offered you the VP slot...He said is awaiting your decision. When will that decision be made?

MAR: As I told Sen. Noynoy when we were talking, huwag natin bahiran itong desisyon at itong mga kaganapang ito ng transaksyon o palitan kasi kailangan nating mabuo ang integridad ng desisyon na ito. At sa tamang panahon naman, and I told Noynoy, once when we're in the campaign trail and you're calm and everything's moving already, if you still want me, then let's talk again. Ang importante dito is that now, I am rolling up my sleeves to work on Noynoy's campaign, to help in the transition. In fact yesterday nasa Negros ako at nasa Iloilo, kinakampanya ko na sa aking mga kasimanwa si Noynoy.

Q: You can't leave the issue of Noynoy's running mate for too long... What do you think will bring the different constituencies together? What will be your role?

MAR: I am fully supportive of his candidacy. It is an opportunity for all Filipinos, all those who thirst for reform, all those who want to return dignity, honesty and integrity back to our country, and to our governance. For me, whatever role that I can play, I am happy to do that.

The decision about the vice presidency is not naman timely. I think there's no other presidential candidate that's being asked the question. And I think we should give Noynoy the chance...six weeks ago or 2 months ago, he had no thoughts about this. Of course, there were his feelings and thoughts about service for the people but in terms of actions being a candidate, this was not really in his mind. That's why I want to give Noynoy the time, the chance to get settled in the campaign, to start with his own going around the country before talking about a running mate.

Q: How will you mobilize your staff and those who have been working on your campaign to maximize their assistance in Noynoy's campaign?

MAR: We have already began the process. As I have said, I was in Bacolod and Iloilo yesterday, I was going to spend the whole week until the weekend in Region 6, in my home region, explaining and convincing the people. But I got a call from Noynoy last night that's why I have to catch the last plane last night because of his announcement today. I intend to go back to the people and again explain to them, and encourage them and recruit them and campaign to them about 2010 being good versus evil, being straight and true versus crooked and dirty, about kabaluktutan versus tuwid at tapat. And that is what 2010 is all about.

Q: Is the party still going to convene and have that formal selection process? Will we then find out your decision and the complete senatorial line-up of the Liberal Party?

MAR: At the appropriate time, that convening will happen. In my own remarks last week, as party president I could have brought this into a party convention. But what's most important is that we now have the opportunity for unity, for working together, for bringing people together, not just the Liberal Party,