Palace slams Roxas for ‘stooping so low’ with crude language

MANILA, Philippines - Malacaňang on Saturday denounced Sen. Manuel Roxas II for uttering invectives in public during the interfaith rally in Makati on Friday against Charter change (Chacha).

Leaders of different sectors who joined the rally were allowed to talk on stage for three minutes and Roxas used his time to admonish the Arroyo administration, which he said wanted to cling on to power beyond 2010 by amending the Constitution.

In a statement, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza on Saturday accused the presidential wannabe for "stooping so low."

In his speech, the Liberal Party president said: "Ngayon gusto ni (President) Gloria (Macapagal Arroyo) na baluktutin ang ating Saligang Batas para manatili sa poder … p____ ina, ano na 'to!," Roxas shouted in front of the crowd, something which he apologized for later.

"We are saddened that he stooped so low in his tirades," Dureza said, adding that the incident will definitely not help Roxas’ impending presidential bid.

"We don't think his crass language will help in his desperate drive to catch up with the popularity ratings of other leading presidentiables," Dureza added.

Among the so-called "presidentiables" present in the rally were Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, president of the United Opposition; former Senate President Manny Villar, president of the Nacionalist Party; Sens Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda, both members of Nationalist Peoples Coalition; Panfilo Lacson, and Roxas.

Of those "presidentiables," only Villar begged off to go on stage to deliver his piece on the Chacha issue. gmanews.tv