Gastardo wants to be Gwen's running mate

CEBU, Philippines - Now that Vice Governor Greg Sanchez is out of the One Cebu party, Provincial Board member Jose Ma. Gastardo said he is willing to become Governor Gwen Garcia’s running mate in the May 2010 elections.

“I’m available for the position of vice governor. If it would be Governor Gwen who will pick me as her partner, I’d be most honored and privileged to accept it,” Gastardo told reporters.

But Gastardo said nothing is definite with their party yet.

Sanchez, vice president of One Cebu —the party that supported his candidacy in the 2007 elections— left the party after it accepted his political rivals Tuburan town, the Suezos, as its new members.

One Cebu is expected to hold a general assembly before November 20, the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy, to pick among its member candidates for the next year’s polls.

Gastardo, who has served as a legislator for 15 years —six years as a councilor and nine years in the PB— is now on his third and last term as a PB member.

He said he is only interested in running for a post in the legislative arena, except for Congress.

He however clarified that he is “not aspiring like what the others are doing”.

“Pero being on my last term, if I’ll be offered, I’ll gladly accept it,” he said.

When asked if he would join another party if someone else is picked to run with the governor he said he is available. But he said he would really rather be the governor’s running mate.

“I’m not shopping I’m just saying I’ll always be available to run if there is a need for it. Or if there’s a party or group who would need a running mate,” he added.

He also said not running at all is still an option if things won’t suit him.

 “I may not run at all. I can always go back to private life,” he said. — Liv G. Campo/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)