MANILA - Senator Mar Roxas on Thursday expressed confidence that his partymate, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, will not turn down his offer to be the Liberal Party's (LP) standard-bearer in 2010.

"Hindi ko nakikita iyan na mangyayari. Tawirin na lang natin [kapag nangyari]. Palagay ko naman ay hindi mangyayari iyan. 'Wag naman," Roxas told radio dzMM when asked by Ted Failon on Tambalang Failon at Sanchez what he would do if Aquino returns from his retreat in Mindanao and says he has decided not to run for president.

Roxas, who admitted spending a lot of energy and money preparing for his presidential run, said he is taking the word of Aquino that he would take on the challenge. He said Aquino had repeatedly told him so in their four meetings, which started over the weekend.

"Hindi ko tatalikdan ang hamon na ito," the senator said, quoting Aquino's assurance given to him in their meetings.

Roxas said the LP is already preparing for Aquino's anticipated positive response to the challenge. He said the discussion with LP officials right now is how they can use the resources he has been building in the past several months to Aquino's advantage.

Roxas, LP president, said he has started revisiting groups that he made allies with in the past several months, to try to get the same support for Aquino's possible run for the presidency.

One of these groups is Akbayan party-list, which had announced its support for Roxas' presidential bid. Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros will be in the LP's senatorial lineup.

"Ang Akbayan nagtiwala sila sa akin. For the first time, ito ay nag-endorso ng isang presidential candidate... Mataas ang pagtingin nila kay Noynoy," the senator said.

Noynoy's vice-president?

Roxas said that during their first meeting, Aquino asked him if he would want to run for vice-president. He said he declined to discuss the issue.

"Huwag na nating haluan ito ng ka-cheapan, horse trading. Hahaba lang eh," Roxas said, repeating his reply to Aquino during their meeting.

He said he told Aquino to clear his head first and focus on more important issues before asking him if he could run as his vice-president, assuming he decides to run for the presidency.

"Sabi ko sa kanya, kung kalmado ka na... Nakapag-retreat ka na at gusto mo pa rin [akong tumakbong vice-president], mag-usap tayo ulit," the senator said.

Selfless love of country

Dismissing criticisms that Aquino is not yet prepared to lead the country, Roxas said his friend has the best qualities a leader needs to be able to undertake true reforms--purity of heart and selfless love of country.

"Hinog na hinog si Noynoy. Ang pinakamahalaga at marahil ang kaisa-isang katangian na dapat taglay ng mabuting pinuno ay ang karakter. Ang puso. Alam ko si Noynoy ay nasa tama. Taglay niya ang katangian ng kanyang mga magulang. You can trust the heart. Para sa akin, si Noynoy iyon," Roxas said.

He said he chose to withdraw from the presidential race since he knows Aquino shares his passion for change. The forces of change and reform were reawakened and strengthened following the death of the late President Cory Aquino last August 1.

He added that the legacy of their parents were the main talking points during their meetings. Recalling the Aquinos' and his own family's sacrifices during the martial law days made it easier for him to give way to Noynoy.

Morality not enough

Meanwhile, political analyst and UP Prof. Clarita Carlos said in an interview with ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda that in case he runs and becomes president, Aquino's morality may not be enough to get the support of Congress.

"Kahit presidente ka, ang Kongreso dapat nandoon ang initiative. Ikaw ang pinakahuling magsa-sign ng law. Kung wala siyang political group na susuporta sa kanya sa Kongreso, ano ang moralidad na ititinda niya?" Carlos said.

He said going on a retreat to weigh things deeply is the first good step made by Aquino. He said the senator should be able to discern if his mother's "afterglow" would last until May 2010, and if he can really lead the country after the elections.

Carlos said Aquino should also consider the political realities in the country.