Radio and television host Korina Sanchez, fiancee of Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, wept openly during a radio interview Wednesday, saying she was hurt by detractors who accused Roxas of being power-hungry.

Sanchez, who is engaged to marry Roxas this October, castigated a columnist for making sweeping statements against presidential bets for the May 2010 elections, describing them as “too hungry for power.”

Sanchez said she was deeply hurt because apparently the columnist included Roxas, who had earlier withdrawn his presidential bid to pave way for Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s possible presidential candidacy.

Roxas, the Liberal Party’s anointed standard bearer, made the announcement Tuesday night at the Club Filipino in San Juan City, and formally endorsed Aquino, his party mate.

Sanchez said Roxas’ decision to give way to Aquino is proof he is not power-hungry.

"One columnist said we should give the presidency to those who don't really want it. If you ask me, nilalahat niya. Parang si Mar kasama dun. Doon ako naiiyak," she said.

"Ang sama ng loob ko ay hindi dahil hindi tatakbo si Mar. Malinaw yan. I weep and I am very hurt not because Mar slid or gave way to somebody else. I am hurt because of some people who expressed doubt about Mar. That is the most painful to me,” Sanchez said.

“No one can say that about him. If it was about reluctance to power, I believe that among all of them, Mar is the most reluctant. As if reluctance is the main reason why somebody should lead the country,” she added.

Sanchez also said she and Roxas felt betrayed by Senator Francis Pangilinan, also a colleague of Roxas, who called on Roxas Monday to sacrifice for the good of the nation.