Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Egay Erice on Monday revealed that he is actively lobbying for former Senator and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas to make another run for the presidency in 2028.
Erice expressed confidence that despite Roxas’ previous electoral losses, his commitment to the country remains steadfast and he would answer the call of duty if pressured by the public.
“Sa pagkakilala ko sa kanya, mahal niya ang bayan at hindi siya tatanggi sa tawag ng bayan,” Erice said.
“Si Mar Roxas, para ‘yang nanligaw, binasted. Masakit sa kanya ‘yung pagkaka-basted sa kanya. Pero sa nangyayari sa bayan natin, dahil mahal niya ‘yung bayan natin, aba’y nasasaktan ‘yan, at ‘pag tinawag mo ‘yan, lalaban ‘yan para sa bayan.”
The lawmaker also addressed calls within the Liberal Party for former Vice President Leni Robredo—currently the Mayor of Naga City—to lead the ticket. Erice noted that Robredo has already voiced her disinterest in returning to national politics and suggested the party should respect her decision.
“Ayaw niya eh. ‘Di ba sinabi niya ayaw niya. Kung siya, eh ‘di siya. Kung siya ang mapili, pero sabi niya ayaw niya. Baka magalit na ‘yun kakapilit natin,” he remarked, adding that he considers Roxas the “most qualified” among potential contenders.
Erice, who previously indicated he would abstain from the House plenary vote on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment, offered a strategic perspective on the current political landscape.
He suggested that an impeachment might actually complicate the opposition’s path by clearing the field for a direct confrontation between the “Yellow” and “Red” factions.
“’Pag na-impeach si Vice President Sara, ang maglalaban ‘yung dilaw saka ‘yung pula. Kaya mas maganda nga hindi ma-impeach, dahil walang kandidato ‘yung pula. Dilaw na lang kami,” he said.
Roxas last sought the presidency in 2016 as the standard-bearer for the Benigno Aquino III administration, where he finished second to Rodrigo Duterte.