CEBU, Philippines - Popular evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva is confident that he will become the country's next president though he still has to complete his entire slate and strengthen his grassroots connections.
"It's all the way for the May 2010 elections. Tuloy ang laban, wala nang atrasan," says Villanueva in a press conference yesterday at Port Restaurant in Waterfront Lahug, Cebu City. He added it’s about time for the country to have a righteous and genuine leader.
Last May, Villanueva accepted the challenge to run again in the upcoming 2010 presidential elections as he formally launched his "Bagong Pilipinas, Bagong Pilipino" movement in the same month.
Villanueva, founder of the Jesus is Lord, ran as president in the 2004 elections but lost.
BPBPM was created to be a rallying point where all God-loving and nation-loving citizens could come together and join forces and resources to bring about the most awaited fresh wind of change and give birth to a new Philippines for the new Filipino.
Villanueva has remained unfazed despite his very low popularity ratings, saying surveys are misleading and does not reflect the true sentiments of the Filipino people.
"Everyone will be surprised. The sleeping giants (meaning the Filipino people in the grassroots) will rise and we will emerge victorious," Villanueva said.
"Sa mga mandadaya, kami ay umapela sa inyo. Hwag na kayong mandaya because you might just digging your own grave," he added.
The presidential hopeful was joined by his senatorial bet, lawyer Ramonito Ocampo, who is a member of the 8-million strong El Shaddai movement.
Villanueva said that as of now, five people has already offered themselves to be his running mate and at least 15 people coming from the different sectors have also expressed their intentions to run as senator under his slate.
During his press conference yesterday, Villanueva was also joined by media personality, Kata Inocencio and Alex Dinsay. Both are being groomed as possible “senatoriables” under Villanueva's ticket. –Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/WAB (FREEMAN NEWS)