ROXAS: I AM NOT SORRY

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas, in a privilege speech delivered today, said that he was "not sorry" for using strong language during last Friday's anti-Charter change rally to highlight the prevalent corruption, hunger and unemployment that marks the Arroyo administration.

"Marami nang nagbigay ng opinyon sa kung paano dapat ako nagsalita o umasal. Irerespeto ko sila. They are entitled to their opinion, and I respect it. Sana, irespeto rin nila ako, at ang pinaglalaban ko. Hindi ako plastik. I AM NOT SORRY," said Roxas.

He said that an apology for his words would mean saying sorry for those who have become victims of corruption, the unemployed and those who have lost hope in the country, as a result of the administration's ignoring of the people's interest.

" Para na ring nag-sorry ang mga Pilipino, na ang tunay na damdamin lamang ay katulad ng sinabi ko," he said in his speech.

The Ilonggo senator said that focus on his particular choice of words deviated from the "real issues" that afflicted the country.

"This government has systematically ravaged our political and economic life. This government has twisted our institutions to suit its self-serving interests. This government has torn apart our nation," he said.

"Kailangan nating kapitan ang katotohanan. Kailangan nating ihiyaw ito. We must shout out the truth so that we can be free. We must break the apathy and the paralysis. Our outrage will move us forward. I must speak of the people's anguish," he added.