Pnoy Inendorso na si Roxas!

PNoy officially anointed Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II as the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party.

Roxas was endorsed at the Club Filipino in San Juan City during an event dubbed as "A Gathering of Friends"

In his speech, Aquino vouched for the competence of Roxas, saying he is capable of continuing the "Daang Matuwid."

"Dun na po tayo sa siguradong itutuloy ang 'Daang Matuwid.' At ang paniwala ko po ang taong ito, walang iba kundi si Mar Roxas," the president said.

Aquino said he is sure Roxas "owes no debt of gratitude to any other" and "has no interest other than country before self."

Aquino kept showering praises on Roxas, citing his past accomplishments such as bringing the business process outsourcing industry to the Philippines.

"In my experience, I know that, whatever orders are given Mar, he will not leave until the situation is stable," Aquino said. "I know that everything is in good hands and that he does not need to wait for orders, just to ensure that all needs are met."The president also cited Roxas's work as interior and local government secretary, particularly in times of disasters such as the Bohol earthquake, Typhoon Yolanda and the Zamboanga siege in 2013.

Aquino urged Filipinos to support Roxas in the 2016 elections, saying the latter will "fully break the system of patronage" and will not lead the country back to corruption and poverty.

"Let us examine what candidates have done; the longer their experience, the better, because it is in their experience that we will see evidence of their being true and excellent partners along the Straight Path," Aquino said.

"It is clear who, of all the choices, deserves to be our next leader," he added.

Aquino endorsed Roxas days after his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) wherein he lavished praises on the latter.

While Aquino has officially chosen Roxas as his preferred successor, he still did not name the vice presidential candidate of the Liberal Party.