GMA BID FOR CONGRESS IRREGULAR - ROXAS
FEVER OF HOPE AND CHANGE IN PAMPANGA AS 63 JOIN LP

Senator Mar Roxas today said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's plan to run as representative of the second district of Pampanga in Congress is irregular as motives other than public service was evident in her desire to join Congress after her term as President ends next June.

"Kataka-taka na pagkatapos ng siyam na taon ng pagka-Pangulo ay marami pa pala siyang hindi nagagawa. May motibo naman siya siguro sa pagtakbo, pero hindi nga lang ito para magtrabaho (It's very intriguing how, after nine years as President, she claims that she has not done everything. I bet she has a motive for running for Congress, but this is not to continue to serve)," Roxas said after being informed of Arroyo's announcement of her candidacy for Congress.

Nevertheless, Roxas said he is confident the voters of Pampanga seek genuine reforms after the wrongs of the Arroyo Administration as shown by the swearing in today of 63 local officials and prospective candidates, into the Liberal Party.

"Ang sinasabing balwarte raw ni Gloria ay balwarte pala ng pag-asa. Dito at sa buong bansa, rinig na rinig ang panawagan ng lahat ng Pilipino para sa tunay na pagbabago (Now we see that Gloria's supposed bailiwick is also a bailiwick of hope. Here and in other parts of the country, we can hear the resounding call of all Filipinos for real change)," said Roxas, who with LP standard bearer Senator Noynoy Aquino barnstormed Pampanga for the second time in two weeks today to present the party's provincial slate led by Gov. Among Ed Panlilio.

"Contrary to the claim of certain camps, Pampanga is owned by nobody but by Pampangueños who hunger and thirst for change. The Philippines is owned by nobody but Filipinos who want the status quo of traditional and transactional politics be overturned by transformational leadership," he said.

Aquino and Roxas were joined by the LP senatorial candidates former Senate President Frank Drilon, Dr. Neric Acosta, Akbayan! Rep. Risa Hontiveros, Bukidnon Rep. TG Guingona, Sonia Roco and former Sen. Ralph Recto, in their Pampanga sortie.