Mar vows to wage clean campaign

MANILA, Philippines - Administration presidential candidate Mar Roxas has vowed to wage a clean campaign as the 2016 election fever rises.

Roxas yesterday said he and his running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo would campaign for their election based on the principle of daang matuwid (straight path).

“The way we campaign is the way we govern. That’s how one can assess the character of a candidate,” he said.

 Daang Matuwid is a slogan coined by Aquino administration to describe its governance style, which critics said cannot be claimed by Malacañang as its own.

Roxas said his campaign would push for the continuity of reforms, which cannot be completed in just six years.

He said the administration coalition will focus on issues and platforms and not resort to attacks on other candidates and this approach has been made known to all members of the Liberal Party.

He said there is soundness in the premise of the campaign to continue daang matuwid as “for the first time in generations, a current government has been able to put in place structural reforms, show investments in our people and infrastructure and show the road ahead very clearly.”

He added that families would be able to feel the benefits of good governance and transparency that would be continued under his administration if he wins.

 “Our government’s stance of transparency and good governance are the norm now, not like the norm of the past – thievery and lies. We can take our growth in the next level that’s more inclusive that will be felt by each family.”

Roxas said the administration has expanded the coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance as well as the conditional cash transfer program to cover more poor families.