Palace source says: Administration also eyeing Villar as presidential bet in 2010

CEBU, Philippines - A highly-placed official from Malacañang Palace revealed that among those being considered by the administration as presidential bet in 2010 is Nacionalista Party president, Senator Manuel “Manny” Villar.

Villar’s name has been floated along with that of Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro and Vice president Noli de Castro as potential standard bearer of the administration’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.

 “Before its only Gibo and Noli but now Villar is considered as a potential,” the official, who requested not to be named, said.

Lawyer Adel Tamano, spokesman of the NP, who was in Cebu yesterday, said that they are open for political alliances.

“Bukas ang pintuan namin. These are political realities,” Tamano said referring to the possible alliance.

The Palace official however said that Villar could-be considered as an adopted candidate of the administration party.

But the official said nothing is final yet as talks are still going on.

Tamano on the other hand said that by October this year, Villar will be announcing his runningmate (with a hope that it will be a presidential bet, who will slide down for vice president) and six senatorial hopefuls.

Tamano said that they are leaving six other senatorial slots for possible alliances.

He said that he along with Senator Pia Cayetano and former Rep. Gilbert Remulla are definitely in the NP senatorial slate.

“We will win because of our strength and the strength of our political party and not because we join with the administration,” Tamano said.

He also revealed that in Cebu, many political leaders want to join Villar’s camp, but could not publicly declare so as they are afraid that their Internal Revenue Allotment may not be released.

Villar topped the latest survey on the presidential contenders conducted by the Social Weather Stations.

Based on that survey, Villar got high ratings in Iloilo, Samar and in Cebu.

Also, the April 16 to May 6, 2009 nationwide survey of SWS showed that Villar is the most trusted public official in the country, with 73 percent saying they have much trust in him.

The SWS survey, which polled 7,000 Filipinos nationwide, shows that Villar continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the public despite the accusations of some of his peers on his alleged involvement in the C-5 double insertion controversy. — Mitchelle Palaubsanon/NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)