MANILA, Philippines – Will the promise of continuity work for the country’s provincial heads?

Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II made the pitch anew to the country’s governors on Tuesday, March 15, during a brief visit to the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) General Assembly.

“Palagay ko, with less than 60 days to go, nasabi na ang lahat, at nadinig na ang lahat—at kayo naman po, nakilatis na ang lahat. At kayo naman po ay itong nakaraang limang taon ay halimbawa ng kung ano pa ang maaaring mangyari sa dadating pang anim na taon sakaling tama ang pili po natin,” said Roxas, wearing a yellow campaign shirt.

(I think with less than 60 days to go in the campaign, everything has been said and you’ve heard everything. And you yourselves – you’ve scrutinized everyone. You’ve also seen how the past 5 years are an example of what else can be done if we add 6 more years, granted we pick the right president.)

Roxas joined the discussion with a handful of governors and their representatives, and several Cabinet officials – Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

League President Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali and Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto also joined Roxas and the 3 Cabinet officials in front during the Q & A with governors.

Umali, Chatto, and the 3 Cabinet officials are known supporters of Roxas’ presidential bid.

The LP standard-bearer stopped short of explicitly campaigning during his talk, but made a quip about it early on in his speech.

“Natutuwa po ako na bago po ako dumating ay nagsalita na po si Secretary Babes Singson at saka si Secretary Butch Abad, at nandito rin po si Secretary Procy. At inaaasahan ko po, na sa pamamagitan ng kanilang pananalita at pagpapaliwanag ay nakumbinsi po kayo lahat. At kung hindi ko naman po ay sasagutin ko nalang ‘yung mga hindi pa nakukumbinsi,” said Roxas, drawing laughter from the crowd.

(I’m glad that before I came, Secretary Babes Singon, Secretary Butch Abad and Secretary Procy already spoke. And I hope that you’re already convinced because of what they said. If that’s not the case, then I’m here to explain to the unconvinced.)

‘Fulcrum’ of ‘Daang Matuwid’

Roxas’ visit to the league’s general assembly comes with less than two months left to campaign in a tough presidential race. Prior to announcing his 2016 run, Roxas was part of the Aquino Cabinet, first as transportation chief and eventually as interior secretary.

The past 3 years, Roxas dealt mostly with the government’s public safety bureaus and local government executives as the interior chief.

It’s a network that will prove crucial for Roxas and the LP in 2016. The same week the LP kicked off its campaign, Roxas and his running mate Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo made it a point to visit gatherings of municipal mayors and barangay (village) chiefs.

“Maaasahan po ninyo, patuloy ang matibay, malakas na partnership natin sakaling tayo po ay palarin. Patuloy ang pagpapakilala natin sa national government na kayo po ang talagang mga fulcrum ng development sa iyong mga lalawigan. At maaasahan po ang all-out support mula sa national government para maging matagumpay po kayong lahat,” said Roxas.

(You can expect that if I’m elected, our strong partnership will continue. The national government will continue to show support because you’re the fulcrum of development for your provinces. And you can expect all-out support from the national government so you will be successful.)

It’s a familiar line from the former interior chief, who also refers to city and municipal mayors as the “front liners” of government.

Before Roxas arrived, Singson and Abad led discussions on disbursement processes and answered questions from governors or their representatives on stalled projects and budgetary problems. Asked about limitations in the way national government can hand over funds to provinces, the budget chief said that while critics hit the administration for underspending, that’s not the case.

“It’s not really underspending. It’s slow spending,” said Abad, adding that provinces need to know how to improve their procurement capabilities.

Several governors also took turns praising the current administration. One even skipped asking a question, opting instead to invite Roxas to visit his province again.

National government’s shortcomings?

But not all governors sang praises for the current administration.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo aired concern over a multi-million post-Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) project that had to be stopped mid-implementation because of a “negative” notice of allowance, supposedly because of illegal disbursements.

Another governor lamented the slow pace of a foreign-assisted road project in her province.

Both Singson and Abad answered their questions, pointing out limitations as mandated by law while proposing possible workarounds.

But it was the silence – and later, absence – of one governor that piqued the interest of media covering the LPP gathering.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda, a member of the ruling party, was in the room while Singson and Abad were speaking and stayed on when Roxas arrived. But he quietly slipped away as Roxas was speaking before the governors.

There are rumors that Salceda is set to bolt the ruling coalition and endorse a different presidential candidate, despite his hosting of a proclamation rally for Roxas and Robredo during the first week of the campaign period.

Robredo dismissed these reports. “May mga ganoon even before [pero] tingin ko hindi naman [totoo]. Kasi when we went, buo naman ang supporta niya,” she told reporters during a chance interview on Wednesday, March 16.

(There have been reports even before I think those aren’t true. When we want to [Legazpi], his support was wholehearted.)

The governor earlier hit LP acting president and current transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya for the delay in the Bicol International Airport.

Rappler sought Salceda for comment but he has yet to reply as of posting. – Rappler.com