Senator Mar Roxas willing to give way to Senator Noynoy presidential run

MANILA - Senator Mar Roxas said Saturday that he is willing to slide down to running as vice-president if his best friend, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, decides to seek the presidency and gets the support of the Liberal party.

"Ako naman po ay masunurin din. Nakikinig sa tao at nakikinig sa tawag ng panahon," Roxas told radio dzMM when asked what he will do if Aquino decides to run and gets the support of the people and their political party.

The senator confirmed that he and Aquino will meet this weekend to discuss the possibility of running as partners in 2010. He said there have been ideas of a Mar-Noynoy tandem even before Aquino's mother, former President Corazon Aquino, died.

"Dahil sa magkapartido kami, isa iyan sa mga nakukunsidera. Kung may pagbabago, siguro si Senator Noynoy lang ang makakapagsabi (Since we belong to the same party, [us running in tandem] is one of the considerations. Only Senator Noynoy can say if he had changed his mind)," Roxas said.

Roxas said the weekend meeting between him and Aquino will be succeeded with more meetings and consultations within the party's top members.

In an earlier interview, Aquino said the Liberal party has various mechanisms in place to choosing the best bet for the presidential elections in May 10, 2010.

Aquino said he has yet to validate the reported clamor for him to seek higher office in 2010. There were reports that Aquino is asking his supporters to wear yellow this weekend to help him decide what higher position to run for in the elections.

Roxas, for his part, said he is still determined to run for president and take the lead to reform the country, but he is also ready to bow down to the people's clamor and his party's decision.

"Ako ay handa nang magsilbi. Sana mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon (I'm ready to serve. I hope I will be given a chance)," he said, adding that he will not bolt the party and stick to Aquino's side if ever they decide against his desire to run for president.