Malacanang was saddened with the rejected offer of Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II to fellow presidential aspirant and Senator Grace Poe to join forces against front-runner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“Nakakalungkot ito dahil tingnan natin ang bilis ng sagot. It says a lot na ‘yun talaga ang instinct niya at wala tayong magagawa kung may appeal, at talagang itong appeal na ito ay base sa hangarin nang marami sa ating mga kababayan,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said in a radio interview on Saturday.

“Ang malungkot dito is that Senator Poe does not seem to have put much thought into a very serious question, a very momentous appeal,” he further said.

The PCDSPO undersecretary noted that President Aquino still hopes for enlightenment and discernment despite the outright rejection.

“We can hope for enlightenment and discernment, on our part. The damage has been done, the harsh words have been uttered. This is one of the tests of leadership.., that you must make decisions and that your word will have repercussions,” he said.

Quezon stressed that Poe had closed the door for the discussion on a potential team-up.

“Ngunit, agad-agad sinara na ang pintuan,” he said.

The undersecretary explained Roxas and President Aquino had done all their efforts to address the fears of the Filipinos.

“Walang makakasabi na ang Pangulo o si Secretary Roxas ay hindi nagsikap nang husto upang sagutin ang takot ng marami sa ating mga kababayan,” the Palace official said.

Quezon pointed out the former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary will continue the fight for the presidential race.

“Sinabi na nga ni Secretary Roxas na tuloy na tuloy ang laban at ipapanalo nila ito,” he said. (PNA)