Vice mayors won't endorse any presidential candidate

CEBU, Philippines - The Vice Mayors League of the Philippines has announced that it will not be supporting any of the presidential aspirants.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, also the incumbent president of VMLP, said this in a press conference during for the 1st National Conference of Local Legislative Bodies held at Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino in barangay Lahug.

He said that VMLP does not want to caught in the “middle of the crossfire” but emphasized that all the vice mayors are given the liberty to choose which candidate they shall support.

“Our organization is not into politicking and we want to focus on the more substantial agenda,” he said

When asked if any presidential aspirant has in any way asked for the organization’s support, Rama said no one from any party has approached them.

“It is very unlikely for them to ask help from us since they already know that VMLP is not into that kind,” he said.

This view is shared by Henry Dy, vice mayor of Iligan City.

Dy said that while they have their own bets for the May 2010 elections, this does not mean that it would be the same stand as VMLP.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlos Fortuna, who is also VMLP’s vice president, said that there are “more important” things that need to be addressed. Issues about environmental protection, management of Sanguniang Kabataan, and automated elections, among others, are the pressing ones that need to be given focus.

Meanwhile, Rama said that they invited Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino to the conference but he backed out due to personal reasons. Sec. Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro also failed to attend.

The conference will run until Saturday and already has 476 delegates from across the country.

Also expected to arrive today are 20 mayors from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, among them Buluan Vice mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu who is set to address the assembly. — Marjun A. Baguio (THE FREEMAN)