Angara backs Legarda, is undecided on Villar

The Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino yesterday endorsed the vice presidential candidacy of Senator Loren Legarda but was undecided on whether it will likewise support her presidential teammate, Senator Manuel Villar.

Meeting at the Manila Hotel, the LDP national executive council gave Senator Edgardo Angara, party president and chairman, full authority to negotiate and enter into a coalition with other political parties and to select the presidential and senatorial candidates the LDP will support.

Angara said their endorsement of Legarda does not necessarily mean that Villar enjoys an edge over his rivals in the party’s choice of presidential contender.

“As of now, that is not my personal inclination. Let us wait and see what his program is,” he told newsmen.

“This is a very crucial election because this may be the tipping point for us Filipinos. If we would choose the wrong presidential candidate, our country will continue to suffer. So we have to be very careful.”

Angara was suspected of having brokered the teamup of Villar and Legarda, but he categorically denied it. He said the LDP backed Legarda when she ran for vice president in the 2004 elections and it is only repeating its support now that is she is seeking the same position.

Angara said they invited all presidential and vice presidential aspirants to the council meeting to present their platforms but only Legarda showed up.

Legarda conveyed her gratitude to LDP leaders for their support but expressed the hope that they would also back up Villar. “I am here not only to solicit support for my candidacy but also to campaign for my president,” she said.

Asked who are the senatorial candidates the LDP will back up, Angara said his initial list includes his incumbent colleagues—Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Ramon Revilla Jr, Jamby Madrigal and Pia Cayetano.

He also expressed support for former Senate President Franklin Drilon and former Senator Vicente Sotto III. Fel V. Maragay


Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=/2009/november/20/nation3.isx&d=/2009/november/20