MANILA, Philippines — Former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II has not made up his mind yet on running for Senate in 2019, but should the call to serve the public arises he said he is open to it.
"I think lahat ng Pilipino kapag tinawag na mag-serbisyo, bukas e," Roxas said in an interview Sunday morning over Vice President Leni Robredo's radio show "BISErbisyong Leni."
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The Liberal Party had been urging the defeated presidential candidate to run again for Senate. The erstwhile ruling party, however, said Roxas has declined as he is also enjoying his life as a private citizen.
The same sentiment was echoed by him on Sunday.
"Marami man akong nais sabihin tungkol sa sitwasyon natin ngayon, marami man akong gustong itama tungkol sa sitwasyon natin ngayon, bilang isang [pribadong mamamayan], may espasyo naman bilang pribado na gawin iyon, ano, sa abot ng iyong makakaya," Roxas said, adding that he would want to have the right motivation if he decides to return to public service.
"So lahat tayo, hindi lang naman ako Mar Roxas, lahat—120 million Filipinos—lahat tayo may sense of [duty] sa ating komunidad, sa ating bansa... May kaniya-kaniyang lugar naman, may kaniya-kaniyang espasyo para sa lahat, ano, at hindi dapat na lumahok tayo sa public office para lamang sa ego trip o para lamang sa maling motibasyon," he added.
In the radio interview Sunday, Roxas was also prodded to consider the latest survey results but the former standard-bearer of LP said it is not a basis for him to decide.
"Ang hinahanap ko iyong sinseridad sa kalooban ko na nais pang magpatuloy," he explained.
Roxas ranked from the 14th-21st place in the latest Pulse Asia poll, conducted last June, on the 2019 Senate elections.