View source for Mar Roxas

{{short description|Filipino politician (born 1957)}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Philippine name|Araneta|Roxas}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Manuel Araneta Roxas II
| image               = Mar Roxas 082014.jpg
| caption             = Roxas in 2014
| office              = 37th [[Secretary of the Interior and Local Government]]
| president           = [[Benigno Aquino III]]
| term_start          = September 19, 2012
| term_end            = September 11, 2015
| predecessor         = [[Paquito Ochoa Jr.|Paquito Ochoa]] {{small|(acting)}}
| successor           = [[Mel Senen Sarmiento]]
| office2             = [[Senate of the Philippines|Senator of the Philippines]]
| term_start2         = June 30, 2004
| term_end2           = June 30, 2010
| office1             = 38th [[Secretary of Transportation and Communications (Philippines)|Secretary of Transportation and Communications]]
| president1          = Benigno Aquino III
| term_start1         = July 4, 2011
| term_end1           = October 18, 2012
| predecessor1        = [[Jose de Jesus]]
| successor1          = [[Joseph Emilio Abaya]]
| office3             = 30th [[Secretary of Trade and Industry (Philippines)|Secretary of Trade and Industry]]
| president3          = [[Joseph Estrada]]<br />[[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]]
| term_start3         = January 2, 2000
| term_end3           = December 10, 2003
| predecessor3        = Jose Pardo
| successor3          = [[Cesar Purisima]]
| office4             = [[Majority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives of the Philippines|House Majority Leader]]
| term_start4         = July 27, 1998
| term_end4           = January 2, 2000
| predecessor4        = Rodolfo Albano
| successor4          = [[Eduardo Gullas]]
| office5             = Member of the [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|Philippine House of Representatives]] from [[Capiz]]'s [[Capiz's 1st congressional district|1st]] District
| term_start5         = September 1, 1993
| term_end5           = January 2, 2000
| predecessor5        = [[Gerardo Roxas Jr.]]
| successor5          = Rodriguez Dadivas
| office6             = 14th President of the [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party]]
| term_start6         = November 6, 2007
| term_end6           = September 30, 2012
| predecessor6        = [[Franklin Drilon]]
| successor6          = [[Jun Abaya]]
| birth_name          = Manuel Araneta Roxas II
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1957|5|13}}
| birth_place         = [[Manila]], Philippines
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal]] (1993–present)<br>[[One Capiz]] (local party; 2024–present)
| parents             = [[Gerry Roxas]]<br />Judy Araneta
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Korina Sanchez]]|2009}}
| children            = 3
| education           = 
| website             = {{URL|marroxas.com|Official website}}
| signature           = Mar Roxas Signature.svg
| alma_mater          = [[Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
}}

'''Manuel''' '''Araneta Roxas II''' ({{IPA|tl|ˈɾɔhas}}; born May 13, 1957) is a [[Filipino people|Filipino]] politician who served as a [[Senate of the Philippines|Senator of the Philippines]]. He is the grandson and namesake of former [[President of the Philippines|Philippine President]] [[Manuel Roxas]]. He served in the [[Cabinet of the Philippines]] as [[Secretary of the Interior and Local Government]] from 2012 to 2015. Previously, he was the [[Secretary of Trade and Industry (Philippines)|Secretary of Trade and Industry]] from 2000 to 2003 and [[Secretary of Transportation and Communications (Philippines)|Secretary of Transportation and Communications]] from 2011 to 2012. He is the son of former Senator [[Gerry Roxas]].

After graduation from the [[University of Pennsylvania]],<ref>Bea Cupin and Michael Bueza, [http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/115954-mar-roxas-wharton-degree "Wharton a 'myth?' Facts on Mar Roxas and his economics degree"], ''Rappler''of December 20, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2016</ref><ref>Bea Cupin and Raymon Dullana, [http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/116195-mar-roxas-wharton-graduate-duterte "Wharton: Yes, Roxas is our 'graduate'"], ''Rappler'' of December 17, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2016</ref> Roxas worked as a banker in New York, mobilizing venture capital funds for [[small and medium enterprises]]. He served as the [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|Representative]] of the [[Legislative districts of Capiz#3rd District|1st District of Capiz]] from 1993 to 2000. His stint as congressman was cut short after he was appointed by President [[Joseph Estrada]] as Secretary of Trade and Industry.<ref name="DTI">{{Cite web |title=Lim heads DILG, Mar Roxas is Trade Chief |url=http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/pe/pe003221.htm |date=January 8, 2000 |publisher=Newsflash |access-date=January 21, 2008}}</ref> He resigned from the position at the height of the [[Second EDSA Revolution]] and was later re-appointed by President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] in her new cabinet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GMA swears in 14 Cabinet officials |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-69550809 |date=January 27, 2001 |publisher=}}{{dead link|date=July 2021}}</ref> He resigned again to run for a Senate seat in the [[2004 Philippine general election|2004 election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Manuel Roxas II quits DTI for Senate run |newspaper=[[Philippine Star]] | date=December 11, 2003 |url=http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/hl/hl019420.htm |access-date=January 21, 2008}}</ref> Campaigning as ''[[Mr. Palengke]]'', he was elected senator with 19 million votes, the highest ever garnered by a national candidate in any Philippine election at that time. Roxas co-authored the Expanded Value Added Tax Law (E-Vat).<ref>{{Cite web |title=GMA swears in 14 Cabinet officials |publisher=Institute for Popular Democracy |date=May 10, 2007 |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=76651 |access-date=January 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617023658/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=76651 |archive-date=June 17, 2007}}</ref>

Initially one of the leading candidates in the [[2010 Philippine presidential election|2010 presidential election]], he slid down to become a vice-presidential candidate in order to make way for fellow senator [[Benigno Aquino III]], who won. Roxas was defeated by [[Makati]] mayor [[Jejomar Binay]] of [[PDP–Laban]] by a margin of 727,084 votes. He filed an [[Electoral fraud|electoral protest]] before the [[Supreme Court of the Philippines]], with the Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.<ref name="roxaspollprotestsufficientinformsubstance">{{Cite news |title=Roxas poll protest sufficient in form, substance |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/12/10/roxas-poll-protest-sufficient-form-substance}}</ref> On June 7, 2011, Roxas was appointed by President Aquino as Secretary of Transportation and Communications to replace outgoing secretary [[Jose de Jesus]], and he took office on July 4, 2011.<ref name="inquirer">{{Cite web |title=Aquino appoints Roxas as new DoTC chief |date=June 7, 2011 |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/12930/roxas-accepts-transportationcommunication-portfolio-says-palace-source}}</ref> Afterwards, on August 31, 2012, President Aquino nominated him as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, replacing [[Jesse Robredo]] who died in a [[2012 Philippines Piper Seneca crash|plane crash]].

Roxas was the standard-bearer of the [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party]] for the [[2016 Philippine presidential election|2016 presidential election]]. He was officially endorsed by President Aquino to continue the present administration's reforms, collectively dubbed ''Daang Matuwid'' ("straight path"), which he [[Mar Roxas presidential campaign, 2016|formally accepted]] on July 31, 2015.<ref name="Philippine Daily Inquirer">{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/686291/surprise-roxas-tells-lp-he-will-run-in-2016 |title=Surprise: Roxas tells LP he will run in 2016 |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] | first1=Leila B. |last1=Salaverria |first2=Niña P. |last2=Calleja |date=April 18, 2015 |access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref><ref name="GMA News">{{cite news |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/530094/news/nation/pnoy-to-endorse-mar-roxas-this-week-says-top-lp-official |title=PNoy to endorse Mar Roxas this week, says top LP official |work=[[GMA News]] | date=July 28, 2015 |access-date=July 30, 2015}}</ref><ref name="gmanetwork.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/531033/news/nation/emotional-roxas-accepts-pnoy-endorsement |title=Emotional Roxas accepts PNoy endorsement |work=[[GMA News]] | date=July 31, 2015 |access-date=July 31, 2015}}</ref> On August 3, 2015, Roxas officially tendered his resignation as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in order to focus on his presidential campaign.<ref name="Rappler">{{cite news |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/101340-mar-roxas-stepping-down-dilg-chief |title=Mar Roxas stepping down as DILG chief |work=[[Rappler]] | date=August 3, 2015 |access-date=August 3, 2015}}</ref> After placing second in the election, Roxas conceded to [[Davao City]] mayor [[Rodrigo Duterte]] on May 10, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=de Jesus |first1=Julliane Love |title=Roxas concedes defeat: I wish you success, Mayor Duterte |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/784800/roxas-concedes-defeat-i-wish-you-success-mayor-duterte |access-date=May 19, 2016 |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] | date=May 10, 2016}}</ref> He would later attempt a comeback to the Senate in [[2019 Philippine Senate election|2019]], but lost.

== Early life and background ==
Manuel Araneta Roxas II was born on May 13, 1957, in Manila to Judy Araneta (of [[Bago, Negros Occidental]]) and [[Gerry Roxas]] (1923–1982; of [[Capiz]]), a Representative for Capiz (1957–1963) and a [[Philippine Senator|Senator]] (1963–1972).

Mar is one of the grandchildren of [[Manuel Roxas]], the first [[President of the Philippines|President]] of the [[Third Philippine Republic]] (1946–48), and [[Trinidad Roxas|Trinidad de Leon]]. The couple married in 1955.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Blast from past: Judy Roxas speaks about Plaza Miranda |url=http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20080817-155120 |date=August 17, 2008 |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |access-date=December 9, 2008 |archive-date=May 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511215000/http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20080817-155120 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He has two siblings: Maria Lourdes (married to Augusto Ojeda and mother of three) and [[Gerardo Roxas, Jr.|Gerardo Jr.]] (1960–1993), a former congressman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Judy A. Roxas, recipient of the Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Award for Nationalism |url=http://www.thegrf.org/cms/news.php |publisher=Institute for Popular Democracy |access-date=January 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216143832/http://www.thegrf.org/cms/news.php |archive-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref>

After grade school and high school at the [[Ateneo de Manila University]], Roxas attended the<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-that-story-about-wall-street-hiring-based-on-college-ivy-league-schools-with-prestige-everyones-talking-about-2011-6 ''Business Insider'' story by Courtney Comstock dated 2 June 2011]. Retrieved March 30, 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/548010/money/economy/why-wharton-is-such-a-big-deal GMA story entitled ''Why Wharton is such a big deal''] published December 15, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2016.</ref>
<ref name="Best Undergraduate Business Programs">[http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-overall Best Undergraduate Business Programs] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318144151/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-overall |date=March 18, 2015 }}, ''U.S. News & World Report'', 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2016</ref> [[Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania]] in [[Philadelphia]], majoring in [[Economics]] and earning a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in 1979.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cupin |first1=Bea |last2=Dullana |first2=Raymon |title=Wharton: Yes, Roxas is our 'graduate' |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/116195-mar-roxas-wharton-graduate-duterte |access-date=January 4, 2016 |work=[[Rappler]] | date=December 17, 2015}}</ref> After graduation, he worked for seven years as an [[Investment banking|investment banker]] in [[New York City]], and became an assistant vice president of the [[New York City|New York]]-based [[Allen & Company]].<ref name="8 things">{{cite news |last1=Cupin |first1=Bea |title=8 things to know about Mar Roxas |url=http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/108901-fast-facts-mar-roxas |access-date=January 3, 2016 |work=[[Rappler]] | date=October 11, 2015}}</ref>

Following the 1985 announcement by President [[Ferdinand Marcos]] of a [[snap election]], Roxas took [[leave of absence]] to join the presidential campaign of [[Corazon Aquino]]. In September 1986, President [[Corazon Aquino]] went to the United States. Roxas was one of those who organized a series of investment [[Round table (discussion)|round-table discussions]] with the American business community.

From 1986 onwards, Roxas visited the Philippines more frequently and proposed to Allen & Company to set up a branch in Asia, specifically in the Philippines; later his superiors agreed. In 1991, he was stationed in the Philippines with North Star Capitals, Inc. which took public the [[Jollibee]] fast food restaurant chain. In the United States, he participated in the first financing for [[Discovery Channel]] and [[Tri-Star Pictures]].<ref name="Candidate No. 2">{{cite news |last1=Fausto |first1=Rose Fres |title=Candidate No. 2: Mar Roxas (Philippine Presidentiables 2016 Series) Part 2 of 3 |url=http://www.philstar.com/health-and-family/2015/10/15/1510829/candidate-no.-2-mar-roxas-philippine-presidentiables-2016 |access-date=January 3, 2016 |work=[[The Philippine Star]] | date=October 15, 2015}}</ref>

== Congress ==
Roxas' younger brother, Dinggoy, who represented the [[Legislative districts of Capiz#3rd District|1st District of Capiz]], died of [[colon cancer]] in 1993. At the age of 36, he decided to run [[1993 Philippine House of Representatives special elections|in the special election]] to replace his brother in the seat and won, having been unopposed.<ref name="Candidate No. 2"/> He later became Majority Leader of the [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|House of Representatives]].

His landmark laws include, among others:

* [[Republic Acts of the Philippines|Republic Act]] No. 8759 – establishing in all municipalities a Public Employment Service Office which serves as an employment facilitation and information center, and links all job opportunities within the region;
* Republic Act No. 8748 – amending the Special Economic Zone Act by directly allocating to the municipality or city 2% (out of the 5%) gross tax to be collected from the establishments operating in the ecozone and providing for disturbance compensation for persons to be displaced or evicted by publicly owned ecozones;
* Republic Act No. 8756 – incentivizing the establishment of regional headquarters to encourage investment and operation of multinational companies in the country and to generate more jobs.

His tenure in the House was most noted for his principal authorship of Republic Act No. 7880 (Roxas Law), which ensures fair distribution of the education capital budget among all the provinces. This started his advocacy for fair and equitable access to education, free from regional bias and political patronage considerations.<ref name="Mar Senate Bio">{{Cite web |url=http://senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/roxas_bio.asp |title=Senator Mar A. Roxas – Senate of the Philippines |access-date=September 16, 2007}}</ref>

== Estrada cabinet ==
Roxas resigned from the House of Representatives following his appointment as [[Department of Trade and Industry (Philippines)|Secretary of Trade and Industry]] under the [[Joseph Estrada|Estrada administration]] in 2000, replacing Jose Pardo who was appointed [[Department of Finance (Philippines)|Secretary of Finance]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lim heads DILG, Mar Roxas is Trade Chief |url=http://www.newsflash.org/2000/01/hl/hl011802.htm |date=January 8, 2000 |publisher=Newsflash |access-date=December 13, 2008}}</ref> During his stint, Roxas was named as Chairman of the Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council, a body formed with the participation of both the government and private sector to monitor the implementation of the E-Commerce Law (Republic Act 8792) and programs pushing for the growth of IT-enabled services.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mongaya |first1=Anol |title=Mongaya: PH e-commerce and start-up roadmaps |url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/opinion/2015/07/05/mongaya-ph-e-commerce-and-start-roadmaps-417226 |access-date=January 4, 2016 |work=[[Sun.Star]] | date=July 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://itecc.gov.ph |title=Welcome to ITECC |access-date=February 4, 2015}}</ref> He resigned the position in November, as Estrada was under fire due to [[Joseph Estrada#Corruption charges and impeachment|allegations of corruption]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Erap's financial advisers vow they won't jump ship |url=http://www.newsflash.org/2000/11/be/be001344.htm |date=November 5, 2000 |work=[[The Philippine Star]] | access-date=December 13, 2008}}</ref>

== Arroyo cabinet ==
In January 2001, just days after Estrada [[Second EDSA Revolution|had been overthrown]], Roxas was re-appointed to the same office by newly installed President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]].<ref name="DTI" />

During his four-year stint as DTI Secretary, he pushed for the development of the ''palengke'' ([[Market (economics)|market]]) as the basic unit of the economy and the root of progress, advocating not only [[consumer welfare]] and [[consumer protection|protection]] but also sound trade and investment policies, particularly [[small and medium enterprises|SME development]].<ref name="Mar Senate Bio" />

As a proponent of the philosophy of 'palengkenomics', which considers the "palengke" (wet market) as a microcosm of the economy, Roxas conducted weekly monitoring of the prices of prime commodities.

Among his projects were the following palengke-based programs which promoted supply chain efficiencies:
# ''Tamang Timbang, Tamang Presyo'' (Right Scale, Right Price) for consumers,
# ''Presyong Tama, Gamot Pampamilya'' (Right Price, Family Medicine) to make affordable and quality medicines accessible to Filipinos,
# ''Pinoy Pandesal'',
# ''Palengke ng Bayan'' (Market of the Country)

His work regarding trade policy was highlighted during the 2003 [[WTO]] meeting in [[Cancún]], [[Mexico]], where he fought for increased market access for Philippine exports, particularly agricultural products and a rationalized Philippine trade regime so that domestic industries would not be harmed.<ref name="About Mar" />

At a time where computer access was limited to an elite few, Roxas initiated the Personal Computers for Public Schools (PCPS) Program, which distributed over 44,240 desktop computers to 3,428 public high schools all over the Philippines. PCPS computers provided 500,000 high school students with the necessary ICT tools and skills.<ref name="About Mar">{{Cite web |url=http://marroxas.com/new/index.php?content=about |title=About Mar |access-date=September 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012084556/http://marroxas.com/new/index.php?content=about |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>{{primary-inline|date=December 2019}}

Roxas pushed for MSME development through the SULONG (SMEs Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth) Program, which granted almost ₱26.7&nbsp;billion on low-interest loans to 281,229 SMEs on its first year.<ref name="About Mar" />

He was named 'Father of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)' market in the Philippines, particularly call center operations, by industry stakeholders.<ref>[[Suzanne Nam]], [https://www.forbes.com/global/2007/0108/024a.html], ''Forbes'', December 29, 2006</ref> From starting out with a mere 2000 jobs at the onset, the IT/BPO industry now provides over a million jobs in the Philippines.<ref>Krisha Maclang, [http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/10/08/1508360/noy-hails-mar-father-philippine-bpo-industry "Noy hails Mar as father of Philippine BPO industry"], ''PhilStar Global'', October 8, 2015</ref>

In the year 2000, Roxas was named Chairman of the Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council. This institution, which was composed of members of the government and the private sector, was formed to monitor the implementation of the E-Commerce Law (Republic Act 8792) and programs pushing for the growth of IT-enabled services.<ref>Nikki Natividad, [http://www.rappler.com/brandrap/stories/98207-bpo-philippines-timeline "A history of the BPO industry in numbers"], ''Rappler'', August 31, 2015</ref><ref>Krisha Maclang, [https://www.kalibrr.com/advice/2015/06/a-look-back-8-people-who-helped-build-the-philippine-bpo-industry/ "8 People who Helped Build the Philippine BPO Industry"], ''Kalibrr'', June 18, 2015</ref>

== Senate ==
On December 10, 2003, Roxas resigned from his post to prepare for his senatorial bid under the banner of the [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party]] in the [[2004 Philippine general election|2004 elections]]. Roxas said that he needed to separate his work in DTI from his work as a candidate and added that his resignation did not surprise the President. He was succeeded by [[Cesar Purisima]], former chairman of the accounting firm [[Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=SGV Chairman to replace Roxas as Trade Secretary |url=http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/hl/hl019496.htm |date=December 3, 2003 |work=[[The Philippine Star]] | access-date=December 13, 2008}}</ref>

Upon winning a seat in the 2004 Senate election, Roxas was proclaimed by the [[Commission on Elections (Philippines)|Commission on Elections]] as Senator-elect on May 24, 2004, and officially assumed the office at noon of June 30, 2004.

Roxas held assignments on the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce and Senate Oversight Committee on Optical Media Board serving alongside [[Bong Revilla|Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr.]]

Roxas authored 43 bills and 46 resolutions brought before the [[13th Congress of the Philippines|13th Congress]] in July 2004 and 2007. He filed bills on fighting [[smuggling]], supporting [[Labor movement|labor]], [[education]], [[economy]], and [[alternative energy]].

On February 26, 2006, the Philippines was under a [[2006 state of emergency in the Philippines|state emergency]] after the [[Politics of the Philippines|government]] claimed that it foiled an alleged ''[[coup d'état]]'' attempt against the administration of Philippine President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] earlier that same day. Two days later, Roxas called on the government to immediately revoke [[Proclamation No. 1017]], saying it betrays its own vision of a strong republic and directly attack Philippine democracy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mar tells Palace: Use Iron fist to fight smugglers, but not to curtail civil liberties |url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2006/0228_roxas1.asp |date=July 10, 2007 |access-date=December 4, 2008}}</ref>

Roxas voted in favor of the Revised Value-Added Tax Law when it was deliberated in the Senate.<ref name="senate.gov.ph">{{Cite web| title=An act allocating fifty percent of value-added tax collections to health, education and agriculture, thereby amending the national internal revenue code, as amended | url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/13712974!.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628012821/http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/13712974!.pdf | archive-date=2010-06-28}}</ref> The law was co-authored by other [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party]] members, [[Franklin Drilon]] and [[Francis Pangilinan]]. He also voted in favor of the abolition of the [[Capital punishment in the Philippines|death penalty in the Philippines]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Death Penalty (Abolition) |date=May 29, 2006 |url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=13&q=SBN-2254 |access-date=December 4, 2008}}</ref>

Roxas voted against the [[Human Security Act]] together with Senator [[Jamby Madrigal]] saying that "''the fight against terror requires urgent operational reforms over measures that could impair [[civil liberties]]''". He even warned that the said law poses a danger to the security and rights of every Filipino if there will be no set of implementing rules and regulations laid down.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement of Sen. Mar Roxas on Human Security Act |date=July 10, 2007 |url=http://senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/0710_roxas1.asp |access-date=December 4, 2008}}</ref>

Roxas' legislative agenda for the [[14th Congress of the Philippines|14th Congress]] is as follows:

* '''EVAT Funds for Education and Healthcare''' – He has filed Senate Bill No. 102 (People's Fund Act) to ease the effect of the 12% [[value-added tax|E-VAT]]. The People's Fund would consist of thirty percent (30%) of all proceeds from the VAT collected under Title IV of the National Internal Revenue Code. This portion estimates the share of incremental revenues from [[Republic Acts of the Philippines|Republic Act]] No. 9337, the Expanded Value-Added Tax law, which increased to 12% the [[value-added tax|VAT]] and removed the exemption.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EVAT Funds for Education and Healthcare |url=http://marroxas.com/new/page.php?type=SENATE&id=18 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''Tax Exemption for Minimum Wage Earners''' – He has filed Senate Bill No. 103 (Individual Tax Exemption for Minimum Wage Earners Bill) to exempt [[minimum wage]] earners in the private sector and government workers in Salary Grades 1 to 3, amending certain provisions of [[Republic Acts of the Philippines|Republic Act]] No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. As per estimates by the National Wages and Productivity Board, there are 7 million workers earning the [[minimum wage]] and even below. For him, it is unfair and unjust that the government, under the law, is taking away a portion of their already subsistence-level income.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tax Exemption for Minimum Wage Earners |url=https://www.lifeyt.com/5-benefits-of-registering-your-company-in-india/?type=SENATE&id=19 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''Amendments to the Roxas Law''' – He has filed Senate Bill No. 104 to amend [[Republic Acts of the Philippines|Republic Act]] No. 7880, also known as the Fair and Equitable Access to Education Act, to eliminate the problem of classroom shortages in the [[Philippines]], as well as enhancing the process of construction, rehabilitation, replacement, completion, and repair of needed school buildings and classrooms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amendments to the Roxas Law |url=http://marroxas.com/new/page.php?type=SENATE&id=20 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''Regulating the Pre-Need Industry''' – He has filed Senate Bill No. 105 (Pre-Need Industry Act of 2007) to address the absence of a statute that regulates the pre-need industry by establishing the Pre-Need Industry Act of 2007 to govern the operations of firms which issue or sell pre-need plans or similar contracts and investments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regulating the Pre-Need Industry |url=http://marroxas.com/new/page.php?type=SENATE&id=22 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''Anti-Smuggling Bill''' – He has filed Senate Bill No. 106 (Anti-Smuggling Act of 2007) to amend certain provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1464, otherwise known as the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended. Under the proposed bill, an Audit and Transparency Group under the Bureau of Customs, headed by a Deputy Commissioner, would regularly inspect and report on the bureau's operational processes, collection and financial reporting, fiscal and personnel performance, system efficiency, internal control, information and communication flow, fraudulent and illegal practices and other related areas. On the basis of these inspections and reports, the Audit and Transparency Deputy Commissioner can initiate investigations of fraud and other graft and corrupt practices in the bureau, and shall recommend to the [[Philippine Ombudsman|Office of the Ombudsman]] the filing of any cases against personnel and officers involved.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anti-Smuggling Bill |url=http://marroxas.com/new/page.php?type=SENATE&id=21 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''Lemon Law''' – He has filed Senate Bill No. 107 (Lemon Law of 2007) to have a one-year period in which buyers of brand-new vehicles can avail of the provisions of this Lemon Law, which allows up to four repairs on the same defect before a replacement or refund of the vehicle can be claimed. For him, it would ensure that the investment on a vehicle is money well-spent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lemon Law |url=http://marroxas.com/new/page.php?type=SENATE&id=24 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''SME Magna Carta''' – He has filed Senate Bill No. 108 (Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) to strengthen [[Republic Acts of the Philippines|Republic Act]] No. 6977, the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises. The focus of the amendments of this bill focuses on three points: guidelines, institutional support and organizational support. Guidelines refer to the specific asset size definition, appropriating a definite and regular amount for the Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Council and increase in the mandatory allocation to lending activities. Institutional support comprises additional government agencies to coordinate SME efforts and formalization of the SME Development Plan. Lastly, organizational support to intensify the powers and increase capitalization of the Small Business and Guarantee Finance Corporation to complement the growing demands for financing. Other features of the bill include formalizing the celebration of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Week and recognition of outstanding MSMEs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SME Magna Carta |url=http://marroxas.com/new/page.php?type=SENATE&id=23 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''Free Information Act''' – He has filed Senate Bill No. 109 (Free Information Act) to implement the Constitutional guarantee to free access by the people to official information, except when the disclosure of such information would jeopardize other prerogatives of the government, namely, the protection of the privacy of individuals, trade secrets, national security, public order and safety, and foreign diplomatic relations. The bill also proposes the adoption by all government bodies a mechanism wherein all written requests for information shall be responded to within two days, unless proper justification is given by the government body, subject only to the payment of reasonable fees for the viewing or reproduction of such information. To compel disclosure of information, in case a government body refuses access to such information on whatever grounds, the [[Philippine Ombudsman|Office of the Ombudsman]] would be tapped to hear any citizens' complaints of not being properly assisted by the pertinent government body. Penalties will be levied to officials or employees who knowingly and unjustly refuse to provide access to information, or who consciously release false or misleading information.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Free Information Act |url=http://marroxas.com/new/page.php?type=SENATE&id=25 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''Decriminalizing Libel''' – He has filed Senate Bill No. 110 (Penalty of Imprisonment in Libel Cases Abolition Bill) to decriminalize libel and limit the venue of filing libel suits. He believes that the approval of the said measure would be a small way by which Congress may help in alleviating the plight of [[journalists]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Decriminalizing Libel |url=http://marroxas.com/new/page.php?type=SENATE&id=26 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* '''K–12 Implementation Process''' - He has filed Senate Bill No. 2294 (Omnibus Education Reform Act of 2008) to strengthen the Philippine education system through timely interventions on the quality of teachers, the medium of instruction used and the evaluation of students' aptitude, among other aspects. It mandates the 9-year implementation process of [[K–12]] that spanned from May 20, 2008 to June 5, 2017 during the administrations of [[Presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo|Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] to [[Presidency of Rodrigo Duterte|Rodrigo Duterte]] and effectivity of K–12 four years later on April 24, 2012 as part of the process which increase in the number of years in basic education, from 10 years to 12 years as consistent with global standards.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2008/0520_roxas1.asp|title=Roxas Files Omnibus Education Reform Act|publisher=[[Senate of the Philippines]]|access-date=September 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/education-and-home/2010/01/07/538275/noynoy-vs-gibo-education|date=January 7, 2010|title=Noynoy vs Gibo on education|publisher=[[The Philippine Star]]|author=Isagani Cruz|access-date=September 13, 2023}}</ref>

On November 26, 2007, LP National Executive Council officials resolved to appoint him as president of the Liberal Party.

Roxas was to unite the two LP factions and set the stage for his presidential campaign in the 2010 election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=100428|title=Abs-Cbn Interactive, Roxas is new LP president, sets sights on 2010 poll}}</ref> [[Lito Atienza]], however, forthwith questioned Roxas' appointment, attacking the composition of Liberal Party's National Executive Council (NECO) and alleging that the [[Supreme Court of the Philippines]]' June 5 resolution ordered the LP leadership's status quo maintenance. Atienza stated: "I have no invitation. They kicked me out of the meeting; How can you (Roxas) unite the party when you take the wrong step?"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.today/20070709212017/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=100434|title=ABS-CBN Interactive|date=July 9, 2007|website=archive.ph}}</ref>

'''Platform'''
{{See also| Political positions of Mar Roxas}}
Senator Mar Roxas has taken positions on many national issues since his election as senator during the [[Philippine presidential election|2004 Philippine elections]].

About the ZTE deal, Roxas introduced a resolution urging President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] to cancel the Philippine government's National Broadband Network (NBN) project with China's [[ZTE Corporation|Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment]] (ZTE) Corporation.

Roxas said that the $329.4-million deal "was driven by supply and not by demand" and will not benefit Filipinos. He believes that the cancellation of the deal would not affect the relationship of the Philippines with [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roxas files resolution for ZTE deal cancellation |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/61736/Roxas-files-resolution-for-ZTE-deal-cancellation |date=September 24, 2007 |access-date=October 18, 2007}}</ref>

In order to finally put a just closure to national divisiveness, Roxas filed Senate Resolution No. 135 calling on President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] to issue a [[pardon]] to former President [[Joseph Estrada|Joseph Ejercito Estrada]] (popularly known as "Erap") at the appropriate time, in which he said: "The grant of [[pardon]] to Erap on humanitarian grounds should not in any way be construed as condoning corruption, or as diminishing the legal weight of the ruling of the [[Sandiganbayan]], but serves solely as an embodiment of the people's will for closure on one of the most divisive chapters of our national life."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roxas: Pardon Erap at the appropriate time |date=September 17, 2007 |url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/0917_roxas1.asp |access-date=October 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204013927/http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/0917_roxas1.asp |archive-date=December 4, 2007}}</ref>

Regarding the [[Japan–Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement]], Roxas has said: "In trade negotiations, no deal is always better than a bad deal."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement of Sen. Roxas on JPEPA |date=October 4, 2007 |url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/1004_roxas1.asp |access-date=October 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115223939/http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/1004_roxas1.asp |archive-date=November 15, 2007}}</ref>

He issued a warning after President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] pressed on the [[Senate of the Philippines|Senate]] to ratify the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) amid concerns aired by [[Tokyo]] for the early approval.

Roxas was optimistic that the pact would be given serious consideration by the Senate if the government revised the deal to get a better trade-off.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Roxas warns: JPEPA safety nets needed |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] | date=June 6, 2007 |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=69743 |access-date=October 18, 2007}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Aquino cabinet ==
{{Main|Benigno Aquino III presidential campaign, 2010}}{{Main article|Mar Roxas 2010 presidential campaign}}
{{Further|2010 Philippine presidential election}}
After his election to the Senate in 2004, Roxas was immediately seen as a potential presidential candidate in the [[Philippine general election, 2010|2010 presidential election]]. While Roxas himself was coy on his plans, the Mar Roxas for President movement gathered steam with the Liberal Party targeting the youth in the run-up to the election. Other signs included the sprouting of Mar Roxas for President spots on the internet and his colleagues endorsing him as the party's standard bearer. Then Senator [[Benigno Aquino III]] declared him as the Liberal Party's [[Mar Roxas 2010 presidential campaign|nominee]] and Former Senator [[Jovito Salonga]], Chairman Emeritus of the party, once introduced him as "the next President of the Philippine Republic."<ref>{{cite news |last=Cabacungan |first=Gil C. Jr. |title=Battle looming between LP and NP for presidency in 2010 |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20070804-80590/Battle_looming_between_LP_and_NP_for_presidency_in_2010?ModPagespeed=off |access-date=September 18, 2012 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=August 4, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624114234/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20070804-80590/Battle_looming_between_LP_and_NP_for_presidency_in_2010?ModPagespeed=off |archive-date=June 24, 2015}}</ref> Senator [[Franklin Drilon]] had also confirmed that Roxas was the party's standard bearer in the election.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roxas is the standard bearer of LP in 2010, Drilon says |work=Philippine Information Agency |date=November 19, 2007 |url=http://www.samarnews.com/news2007/nov/f1391.htm |access-date=January 15, 2008}}</ref>

However, on September 1, 2009, at the historic Club Filipino in [[San Juan, Metro Manila]], Roxas delivered a speech at a press conference announcing his decision to withdraw from the race and support the candidacy of Aquino for the presidency. Aquino officially launched his campaign eight days later. On September 21, 2009, Roxas, alongside Aquino, officially announced his candidacy for the vice presidency as the nominee of the Liberal Party for vice president, launching the Aquino-Roxas campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mar Roxas Declares Vice Presidency Bid – Mar-Noynoy for 2010|url=http://www.internetphilippines.com/news/mar-roxas-accepts-vice-president-run-in-2010/|date=September 22, 2009|access-date=June 7, 2011|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222223201/http://www.internetphilippines.com/news/mar-roxas-accepts-vice-president-run-in-2010/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Liberal Party launches Aquino-Roxas tandem for 2010 |work=Sun.Star Network |url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/now-official-roxas-aquino%E2%80%99s-veep |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226075650/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/now-official-roxas-aquino%E2%80%99s-veep |archive-date=December 26, 2009}}</ref> On November 28, 2009, Aquino and Roxas filed their certificate of candidacy for [[President of the Philippines|President]] and [[Vice President of the Philippines|Vice President]] respectively.

He was defeated by [[Makati]] mayor [[Jejomar Binay]] of the [[Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan]] (PDP–Laban) by the narrowest margin in the history of the Fifth Republic. Binay's upset victory over Roxas was attributed to the success of the [[Aquino–Binay Campaign, 2010|Aquino-Binay campaign]], which began when Senator [[Francis Escudero]] endorsed Aquino and Binay as president and Vice President respectively. This was done without the consent of the two candidates, especially since Escudero, Binay, and Aquino all came from different political parties. Roxas filed an [[Electoral fraud|electoral protest]] to the [[Supreme Court of the Philippines]] at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. On July 12, 2010, the [[Supreme Court of the Philippines|Supreme Court]] after reviewing Roxas' [[Electoral fraud|electoral protest]], declared it sufficient in form and substance and the Presidential Electoral Tribunal sent summons to Vice President Binay to file a comment within 10 days upon receipt of the summons.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100712-280687/Roxas-poll-protest-sufficient-in-form-and-substance |title=Roxas poll protest sufficient in form and substance |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] | date=July 12, 2010 |access-date=August 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002070713/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100712-280687/Roxas-poll-protest-sufficient-in-form-and-substance |archive-date=October 2, 2012}}</ref>

Roxas also requested the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to order an independent forensic examination of the 26,000 [[CompactFlash card|compact flash cards]] and the [[source code]] of the PCOS machines used in the 2010 elections. As of August 2015, the case remains in pre-trial stage, with the last action taken by the tribunal dating back to December 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/101191-timeline-roxas-electoral-protest-binay |title=Timeline: Roxas' electoral protest vs Binay |work=[[Rappler]] | date=August 1, 2015 |access-date=August 1, 2015}}</ref>

Roxas accepted the offer of Aquino to be appointed as [[Department of Transportation (Philippines)|Secretary of Transportation and Communications]], replacing the outgoing Secretary [[Jose de Jesus]], who had resigned earlier. He took office on June 30, 2011.<ref name="inquirer" /> His appointment was given [[unanimous consent]] by the [[Commission on Appointments (Philippines)|Commission on Appointments]] on October 12, 2011.<ref name="manilabulletin">{{cite news |last=Casayuran |first=Mario B. |title=CA confirms Mar's DoTC appointment |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/337538/ca-confirms-mars-dotc-appointment |access-date=September 16, 2012 |newspaper=Manila Bulletin |date=October 12, 2011}}</ref>

On August 31, 2012, President Aquino appointed him as [[Secretary of the Interior and Local Government]], replacing [[Jesse Robredo]], who had died in a [[2012 Piper Seneca crash|plane crash]] on the shores of [[Masbate (island)|Masbate Island]] thirteen days earlier.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/article/41962/mar-roxas-on-dilg-post-i-have-big-tsinelas-to-fill |title=Mar Roxas on DILG post: 'I have big tsinelas to fill' |work=interaksyon.com |date=August 31, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208084722/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/41962/mar-roxas-on-dilg-post-i-have-big-tsinelas-to-fill |archive-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> It was Roxas who announced the death of Robredo and confirmed that the rescue operations for the two pilots, Captain Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese flight student Kshitiz Chand, had been turned into a retrieval operation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/robredo-found-dead-in-plane-wreckage.html |title=DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo has been found dead |work=[[Yahoo! News]] | date=August 18, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2015}}</ref>

On August 3, 2015, Roxas officially tendered his resignation as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in order to focus on his presidential campaign. In his resignation letter to President Aquino, he once again thanked him for his endorsement and vowed to "begin the process of turning over in an orderly manner all the matters pending in my office."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/03/15/mar-roxas-leaving-aquino-cabinet |title=Mar Roxas leaving Aquino Cabinet |work=[[ABS-CBN News]] | date=August 3, 2015 |access-date=August 3, 2015}}</ref> During his final flag ceremony at [[Camp Crame]], Roxas bade goodbye to his colleagues and thanked the members of the [[Philippine National Police]]. "It has been my pleasure and a great honor to serve with you I give you my snappy salute", he told police officials present.<ref name="Rappler" />

== Presidential bid ==
{{Main|Mar Roxas presidential campaign, 2016}}
{{Further|2016 Philippine presidential election}}

[[File:Mar Roxas in a Quezon City LP campaign rally.jpg|thumb|Roxas during a campaign rally of the LP in Quezon City, February 17, 2016]]
Roxas is the [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party's]] [[Team PNoy|standard bearer]] in the 2016 presidential election. On July 31, 2015, at an event dubbed as "A Gathering of Friends", Roxas formally accepted his party's nomination after he was officially endorsed by President [[Benigno Aquino III]] in the presence of their political allies at the [[Club Filipino]], where Roxas had announced his decision to withdraw from the 2010 presidential election and give way to Aquino's presidential bid. Aquino also announced his candidacy there on September 9, 2009. In an emotional speech, Roxas declared that he would not deviate from the "straight path" initiated by Aquino in the fight against poverty and corruption.<ref name="Philippine Daily Inquirer" /><ref name="GMA News" /><ref name="gmanetwork.com" /> On the same day, Roxas formally launched his campaign website.

In a speech during which he paid tribute to his late grandfather, President [[Manuel Roxas]], his late father, Senator [[Gerardo Roxas]] and late brother, Rep. [[Dinggoy Roxas]], Roxas declared that he would not betray the reforms initiated by the Aquino administration and vowed to continue Aquino's "Daang Matuwid" agenda:

<blockquote>
{{cquote|I believe that this is not just about me or PNoy. The "Daang Matuwid" is about the dreams of every Filipino. As the President said: It is worth fighting for. It is worth sacrificing for, and dying for if need be. The Straight Path transcends me and PNoy; it is a Filipino ideal that has been there long before we were born, and will remain long after we are gone. History is challenging us to live up to these principles; to continue on this journey; to fight for our dreams as a nation.

Mr. President, during your SONA on Monday, you said, "This is only the beginning; it is only the beginning of the great story of the Filipino people." Today, with all my sincerity, with all my will and with all my strength, I am answering the call of the "Daang Matuwid". We will fight on. I am Mar Roxas and I accept the challenge of our Bosses: to continue, expand and fight for the "Daang Matuwid".<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/531053/news/nation/roxas-speech-in-accepting-pnoy-endorsement-as-2106-presidential-bet#sthash.sJshNtkG.dpuf |title = Roxas speech in accepting PNoy endorsement as 2106 presidential bet| date=July 31, 2015 }}</ref>}}
</blockquote>

As confetti filled the Cory Aquino Kalayaan Hall and singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon sang "Dapat Ang Pangulo", the official song of the campaign, Aquino raised Roxas' hand after the speech as a sign of complete support for his campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/101063-mar-roxas-launch-2016-president |title=Mar Roxas launches 2016 presidential bid |work=[[Rappler]] | date=July 31, 2015 |access-date=August 1, 2015}}</ref>

==Comeback attempt and political retirement==
On October 15, 2018, Roxas announced his return to politics after a two-year hiatus, filing his Certificate of Candidacy the next day for Senator in the [[2019 Philippine Senate election]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rappler.com//nation/politics/elections/2019/214368-mar-roxas-running-for-senator |title=Mar Roxas to run for senator in 2019: 'I won't quit on our country' |last=Cepeda |first=Mara |website=Rappler |date=October 15, 2018 |access-date=February 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/10/16/1860526/mar-roxas-files-coc-senate-comeback |title=Mar Roxas files COC for Senate comeback |website=The Philippine Star |access-date=February 12, 2019}}</ref> He was named to the [[Otso Diretso]] opposition coalition. However, he ranked 16th in that election and failed to secure a six-year term.

In an interview with ''Sa Totoo Lang'' on [[One PH]] on August 26, 2021, Roxas stated that he is retired from politics, saying that he does not have communications with the 1Sambayan opposition coalition.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://politiko.com.ph/2021/08/27/political-comeback-mar-roxas-is-happily-retired/headlines/|title=Political comeback? Mar Roxas is happily retired|date=August 27, 2021|accessdate=December 21, 2024|website=Politiko}}</ref> He would later endorse the unsuccessful [[2022 Leni Robredo presidential campaign|presidential bid]] of his 2016 running mate, Vice President [[Leni Robredo]], in the [[2022 Philippine general election|2022 elections]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/mar-roxas-stands-by-leni-robredo-capiz-rally/|title=Mar Roxas stands by Robredo: 'Support her, raise her up, choose her'|first=Mark|last=Cepeda|date=March 26, 2024|work=Rappler|accessdate=December 21, 2024}}</ref>

On April 15, 2023, Roxas appeared on the commemoration of his grandfather [[Manuel Roxas]]’ 75th death anniversary in [[Roxas City]], wherein he also met with Vice President [[Sara Duterte]] and former President and incumbent Pampanga Representative [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://politiko.com.ph/2023/04/16/preparing-for-comeback-spotted-mar-roxas-dines-with-sara-duterte-gma/|title=Preparing for comeback? Spotted: Mar Roxas dines with Sara Duterte, GMA
|date=April 16, 2023|accessdate=December 21, 2024|website=Politiko}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ovp.gov.ph/post/vp-sara-attends-commemoration-75th-death-anniversary-former-president-manuel-roxas|title=VP Sara attends commemoration of 75th death anniversary of former President Manuel Roxas|publisher=Office of the Vice President of the Philippines|date=April 15, 2023|accessdate=December 21, 2024}}</ref> On October 6, 2023, Roxas was spotted meeting with President [[Bongbong Marcos]] during a distribution of smuggled rice to beneficiaries in Roxas City. Marcos stated in his speech that they remained friends despite their political differences, noting that their friendship began during their time in New York.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/6/marcos-meets-old-pal-mar-roxas-in-capiz|title=Marcos meets old pal Mar Roxas in Capiz|first=Betheena|last=Unite|work=Manila Bulletin|date=October 6, 2023|accessdate=December 21, 2024}}</ref> In September 2024, Roxas was named as the head of the advisory council of the newly launched [[One Capiz]] local political party.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guardian |first=Daily |date=September 23, 2024 |title=One Capiz political party launched in Roxas City |url=https://dailyguardian.com.ph/one-capiz-political-party-launched-in-roxas-city/ |access-date=December 21, 2024 |website=Daily Guardian |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Roxas was previously in a relationship with former beauty queen Maricar Zaldarriaga, with whom he has a son, Paolo Gerardo.<ref name="8 things" />

In 2002, he met [[Korina Sanchez]], a news anchor from [[ABS-CBN Corporation|ABS-CBN]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bonifacio |first1=Julie |title=Sen. Mar Roxas tells story of six-year relationship with Korina Sanchez |url=http://www.pep.ph/celeb/spotlight/16977/sen-mar-roxas-tells-story-of-six-year-relationship-with-korina-sanchez |access-date=January 3, 2016 |work=Philippine Entertainment Portal | publisher=[[GMA Network Inc.]] | date=September 11, 2008}}</ref> In the April 25, 2009, episode of the ABS-CBN noontime show ''[[Wowowee]]'' where Sanchez appeared as a guest co-host alongside [[Willie Revillame]], Sanchez and Roxas announced their engagement.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Senator, TV Anchor confirm engagement |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=April 25, 2009 |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20090425-201424/Senator-TV-anchor-confirm-engagement |access-date=April 25, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jumilla |first=Lynda |title=Korina wipes away Mar's tears on 'Wowowee' |publisher=ABS-CBN News |date=April 25, 2009 |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/04/25/09/korina-wipes-away-mars-tears-during-wowowee |access-date=April 25, 2009}}</ref> Sanchez took a leave of absence from her duties at ABS-CBN in May 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mar, Korina confirmed wedding plans |work=The Philippine Star |date=April 26, 2009 |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=461324&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |access-date=April 26, 2009}}</ref> They married on October 27, 2009, at a ceremony at [[Santo Domingo Church (Quezon City)|Santo Domingo Church]] in [[Quezon City]], where Roxas' former running mate in the 2010 election, then-Senator (later President) [[Benigno Aquino III]], was one of the couple's primary wedding sponsors. The [[Manila Philharmonic Orchestra]] and the [[Philippine Madrigal Singers]] provided the music during the wedding. Other notable performers included [[Basil Valdez]], Robert Seña, and [[Jamie Rivera]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Mar-Korina wedding 'locked and loaded' |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/10/26/09/mar-korina-wedding-locked-and-loaded |access-date=September 16, 2012 |newspaper=abs-cbnNEWS.com |date=October 27, 2009}}</ref> The couple owns a black [[labrador retriever]] and two [[schnauzer]] dogs.<ref name="8 things" />

As of 2014, he has a declared net worth of {{Philippine peso|202.08&nbsp;million|link=yes}}.<ref name="8 things" />

In 2019, they announced the arrival of their twins who were born through [[surrogacy]] named Pepe Ramon Gerardo Manuel Denzel and Pilar Judith Celia Ester Korina.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2019/04/17/1910813/korina-sanchez-explains-full-names-twins-mar-roxas|title=Korina Sanchez explains full names of twins with Mar Roxas|website=philstar.com|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/02/22/19/what-is-gestational-surrogacy|title=What is gestational surrogacy?|website=ABS-CBN News|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref>

== Public image ==

'''Hoaxes and misinformation'''

Roxas has been a frequent target of numerous hoaxes in social media, notably from rival political groups such as [[Diehard Duterte Supporters|supporters of Rodrigo Duterte]]. These were mostly intended to mock his ''[[Mr. Palengke]]'' image, which has been increasingly viewed as insincere due to his wealthy background. A notable incident is an image presenting Roxas holding a plate, supposedly to collect drink water from a water pump, which was circulated as early as 2015. The image became viral ahead of both elections in 2016 and 2019.<ref name="factcheck.afp.com">{{Cite web|date=2019-02-12|title=No, this is not a photo of Philippine politician Mar Roxas drinking from a plate|url=https://factcheck.afp.com/no-not-photo-philippine-politician-mar-roxas-drinking-plate|access-date=2021-02-14|website=Fact Check|language=en}}</ref>

Another image shows a [[barong tagalog]]-clad Roxas on board an [[MRT Line 3 (Metro Manila)|MRT]] train that, although not manipulated, was often misrepresented as a recent picture as of 2018.<ref name="factcheck.afp.com"/>

== Awards ==
* 1996: Roxas was recognized by the [[World Economic Forum]] as "one of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow who are expected to shape the future."<ref>{{Cite web |title=DTI – Roxas |url=http://www.ops.gov.ph/100days/dti-roxas.htm |publisher=Office of the President – Philippines |access-date=January 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221030114/http://www.ops.gov.ph/100days/dti-roxas.htm |archive-date=December 21, 2007}}</ref>
* 1999: Roxas was named by the [[Asiaweek]] Magazine as "Political Leader of the New Millennium."<ref>{{Cite web |title=DTI – Roxas |url=http://ufs.ph/tinig/marapr04/03040422.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702183712/http://ufs.ph/tinig/marapr04/03040422.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 2, 2004 |publisher=Tinig ng Marino – Special Features: Mar Roxas and Rodolfo Biazon |access-date=January 30, 2008}}</ref>
* 2002: The [[Government of Singapore|Singapore Government]] has awarded Roxas as the 16th [[Lee Kuan Yew]] Exchange Fellow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senator Manuel A. Roxas II – Profile |url=http://www.liberalparty.ph/profiles/p_mroxas.htm |publisher=[[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party of the Philippines]] | access-date=January 30, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-presidential-candidate-manuel-mar-roxas-is-endorsed-by-benigno-aquino |title=Philippines' presidential candidate Manuel 'Mar' Roxas is endorsed by Benigno Aquino |last=nilasen@st |date=May 8, 2016 |website=The Straits Times |access-date=February 12, 2019}}</ref>
* February 16, 2007: E-Services Philippines awarded Roxas with the E-Champion Award recognizing his pioneering efforts and leadership in making the Philippines a popular outsourcing destination of choice.<ref>{{Cite web |title=e-Services Philippines 2007 : 111 |url=http://www.e-servicesphils.com/en/news.php?page=111 |date=February 16, 2007 |publisher=E-Services Philippines |access-date=January 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213005820/http://www.e-servicesphils.com/en/news.php?page=111 |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* July 15, 2009: Roxas was awarded by the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) for his pioneering contributions to the Philippine BPO industry.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2009/06/23/479712/pgma-leads-honorees-ccap-conference-expo-2009 |title=PGMA Leads Honorees for CCAP Conference & Expo 2009 |website=The Philippine Star |access-date=February 12, 2019}}</ref>
* September 18, 2007: Roxas was conferred with the Palanca Awards Gawad Dangal ng Lahi by CP Group Chairman Carlos Palanca III, Palanca Foundation Director General Sylvia Palanca-Quirino and Deputy Director General Christine Quirino-Pacheco for serving as an exemplary leader and role model to the Filipino.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palanca Awards confers Gawad Dangal ng Lahi to Senator Mar Roxas |url=http://guides.clickthecity.com/arts/?p=2131 |date=September 18, 2007 |publisher=ClickTheCity.Com |access-date=January 30, 2008}}</ref>
* September 12, 2013: The Province of [[Bulacan]] recognized Roxas as the 6th Natatanging Dangal ng Lipi Awardee, the province's highest recognition, for his outstanding contributions to government service.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://promdino.blogspot.com/2013/09/bulacan-fetes-roxas-10-others-to.html |title=PromdiNEWS: Bulacan fetes Roxas, 10 others to receive award Sunday |last=Balabo |first=Dino |date=September 12, 2013 |website=PromdiNEWS |access-date=February 12, 2019}}</ref>
* February 8, 2016: Roxas received the Gawad Bagonhon Award for government service, during the 50th anniversary of the city charter of [[Bago, Negros Occidental]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://visayandailystar.com/2016/February/23/people.htm |title=DAILY STAR People & Events |website=visayandailystar.com |access-date=February 12, 2019}}</ref>
* November 27, 2018: Roxas was awarded the Freedom Flame Award by the [[Friedrich Naumann Foundation]] in recognition of his advanced democratic ideals.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/12/08/freedom-flame-and-tofil-awards |title=Freedom Flame and TOFIL awards |website=Manila Bulletin News |access-date=February 12, 2019}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{commonscat-inline}}
* [http://www.marroxas.com/ Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223130054/https://www.marroxas.com/ |date=December 23, 2019 }}
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/roxas_bio.asp Senate of the Philippines – Mar Roxas Biography]

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{{Candidates in the Philippine presidential election, 2016}}
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{{13th Congress of the Philippines senators}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Roxas, Mar}}
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