11/22/2009
The camp of Sen. Loren Legarda, who will run as the vice presidential bet of Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwart Manuel Villar Jr., dropped hints yesterday that Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero who was earlier touted as among the contenders for the presidency in next year’s elections is sliding for a vice presidential run.Legarda said in a press statement she will not be dragged into any “battle” with Escudero should he decide to also run for vice president in next year’s elections, adding “my fight is against hunger, poverty and climate change.”
“People speak of betrayal, but I have already forgiven Chiz for leaving us at the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) hanging in mid-air. I decided to give way to him so he can run for president, but then he had chosen to leave the party, a decision of his that I respected,” Loren said.
“That’s the ultimate betrayal, the unkindest cut, many in the NPC tell me. But we have to move on because we cannot dwell on negativism as the
problems of our nation are grave an varied. I can only wish Chiz the best of luck in whatever path he would choose to make,” she added.
“If he wants to run for VP, then the best candidate who had really worked for the people in a previous capacity, in our case as senators, and who would really roll up his or her sleeves and go down to work, may win,” Loren said.
The statement added many political analysts said Escudero had really intended to run for vice president, but that he had missed the train and now “wants to play the role of a great spoiler.”
Loren said that she always gives people the benefit of the doubt and not attribute ulterior motives to their running for public office.
“As I’ve said, the people can discern who really among the candidates are there to lend a helping hand, who among them can be trusted to deliver public service,” she said.
Malacañang, meanwhile, has given up in convincing Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando to reconsider his plans to seek the presidency after he resigned his post recently and at the same time that reports were floated that he had “informally” resigned from the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party to pursue his candidacy.
Fernando had expressed his disappointment after losing the party’s endorsement for next year’s elections to now standard bearer Gilbert Teodoro.
Malacañang officials said they can only do so much in trying to make Fernando understand the decision of the majority in the Lakas-Kampi-CMD on the choice of Teodoro.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde yesterday said on radio the administration party would just have to understand the thoughts and sentiment of Fernando.
“I hold our friend, Fernando, in very high esteem because we can’t ignore his sterling record as a public servant. So we just have to understand whatever seething and sentiment he has for the Lakas-Kampi CMD,” Remonde said.
Remonde also belied Fernando’s claims that the administration party is on the verge of dissolution considering the consecutive defections made by former party stalwarts.
Remonde said the recently concluded national convention of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last Thursday spoke very clearly of the strength of the party despite some of its strongest political leaders jumping the fence to opposition parties.
Since his failure to clinch the Lakas-Kampi CMD national executive committee nomination, Fernando apparently became an estranged member of the party—losing the entire spotlight to Teodoro.
“We will replace him with someone very knowledgeable and directly involved in MMDA,” Remonde said of Fernando’s replacement at the MMDA.
The administration party formally presented its standard bearers, former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and entertainment personality Edu Manzano for president and vice president, respectively, last Thursday at the party’s convention.
Easrlier, administration party big gun Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte bolted and join the Liberal Party (LP) of Senator Benigno Aquino. Belmonte claimed he defected to the LP out of deference to Noynoy’s mother, Cory, who was a close friend.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim is also with the LP, giving the party leverage in the two biggest cities of the country.
President Arroyo also said she will definitely help in the campaign of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidates, particularly the standard bearer Teodoro and his running mate Edu Manzano, together with the entire senatorial lineup of the ruling party, according to a ranking Malacanang official.
Secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello III said Arroyo is still the president emeritus of the party, and “as a party member, especially as an official, we expect her to actively be campaigning for our candidates” in the May 2010 polls.
He stressed, however, that “while we expect President Arroyo to help us in the campaign of our candidates...how she would do it, we leave that to the President to decide.”
Meanwhile, Bello clarified that although it is a great honor for him to be included in the senatorial ticket of the strongest political party in the country, he is still in the process of consulting his constituents and family.
”I would like to put on record that although I have been considered by the party, which I find a distinct honor, let me inform you that the question of running for the Senate under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD is still under very serious consideration and it has to go though a process of consultation with my constituents and especially my family,” Bello said.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), likewise, indicated it is set to release guidelines for Catholic voters on how to choose their candidates in the 2010 elections.
Initiated by the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL), the guidelines will stress the church’s position on family and life issues.
Fr. Melvin Castro, ECFL executive secretary, said the “catechism for Catholic electorate” will also deal specifically on the controversial Reproductive Health bill in Congress.
“We believe it is necessary for our voters to be guided by the Church through the Commission on Family and Life,” he said.
Fr. Castro said the initiative is aimed at ensuring that the voters, especially the young ones, would choose the right candidates who will lead the nation
It will be launched, he added, during national gathering of the ECFL’s directors and lay coordinators on Nov.30 at the St. Michael Retreat House in Antipolo City.
This year’s national conference with an appropriate theme “The Family Serving the Church and Society,” will end on Dec. 3. Antipolo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes is set to lead the opening liturgy.
ECFL chairman and San Fernando Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto said he expects most ecclesial provinces will be represented in their national convention.
The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams is expected to address the delegates.
Source: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20091122hed1.html
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