Manuel "Mar" Araneta-Roxas II was born on May 13, 1957. He is the son of former Senator Gerry Roxas, and the grandson of former President Manuel Roxas.

He is a graduate of the Wharton School of Economics and he worked as an investment banker, mobilizing venture capital funds for small and medium enterprises. His first venture into politics was when he served as the Representative of the 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. He resigned from the position at the height of the EDSA Revolution of 2001 and was later re-appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her new Cabinet. He resigned again to run for a Senate seat in the 2004 Philippine election where he was elected as Senator with 19 million votes, the highest ever garnered by a national candidate in any Philippine election.

Justice for the pre-need plans
He cannot and will not sit idly by as the savings of the victimized planholders disappear into thin air, along with their dreams and hopes. The guilty must pay.

Education
Mar knows that despite the government's propaganda, there are really not enough jobs in the country. But he still believes that we have the power to create jobs. We must look inward by supporting local industries especially the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME's) and revitalizing the rural areas by creating opportunities in agriculture and tourism.

OFWs
Mar recognizes the sacrifices of our OFW's. Like them, Mar also dreams of the day when they no longer have to leave their families behind just to earn a living. But until that day comes, Mar will continue to fight for the rights of our modern-day heroes.

Agriculture
Mar believes that it is time for an Agricultural Renaissance. This Renaissance will give the agricultural sector a shot in the arm, by prioritizing much needed resources such as fertilizer, irrigation and post-harvest facilities, by investing in modern agriculture through R&D, by giving our farmers easy access to credit and by overhauling a system plagued with mismanagement and corruption.

Good Governance
In as much as Loren believes that literacy is a fundamental human right, she also acknowledges the urgent need for a collaborative effort between the government and non-government entities involved in literacy promotion. Among the measures co-authored by Loren which were enacted into law were: the Early Childhood Care and Development (RA 9890), Negros State College of Agriculture (RA 9141), National Apiculture Research, Trainimk8m,h bng and Development Institute (RA 9151), Leyte State University (RA 9158), and the Cebu International School (RA 9190).

Environment
The culture of impunity that has coddled violators of the fundamental law and those who disregard human rights must be put to an end. Leaders of proven competence and integrity, not lackeys of a crooked administration, must be placed in institutions that protect the public interest, such as the Ombudsman, GSIS, SSS and DOJ.