‘VP war’ rages in Senate

A war of endorsements broke out in the Senate yesterday and raged all day as supporters of five candidates for vice president bombarded the chamber’s media office with their respective expressions of support.

Slugging it out in the race are Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Majority Floor Leader Teofisto Guingona Jr. and Senators Franklin Drilon, Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Loren Legarda.

Pimentel garnered the most endorsements with backing from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, the Cordillera Autonomous Region, De La Salle University, Mass Communications teachers and students from the University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, the Zobel Group of Companies, Samahang Laiko ng Pilipinas (SLP), Anak ti Batac Ilocos Norte, several cooperative groups in Mindanao and even Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Hashim Salamat.

The SLP, a Davao-based Bible study and lay formation community, said Pimentel is not only popular among the people power forces but among the masses in Mindanao, both Muslims and Christians alike.

SLP cited the Senate President’s "integrity and proven track record in public office."

Guingona, Pimentel’s main rival, received full backing from the ruling Lakas-NUCD party, various non-government organizations and Muslim groups.

Drilon’s endorsements came from professors of the University of the Philippines, Panay Federation of Sugar Planters, Rotary Club of Iloilo and the Philippine Hospital Association-Negros Occidental.

"As a proven and distinguished statesman and a diligent, knowledgeable and respected member of the Senate, Senator Drilon’s expertise and leadership will greatly help the present administration in positioning the country toward the road to recovery and propel its growth in the 21st century," said Dr. Alfredo Ramirez, vice chancellor of the University of the Philippines-Manila.

Not to be outdone was dark horse candidate Magsaysay, who received support from the Islamic Party of the Philippines and the Cooperative Movement in Mindanao.

Supporters of Magsaysay said the son of the popular president would be the most logical choice since he alone "possesses the qualifications that would satisfy the country’s present requirement.

"President Arroyo needs a vice president who can be of use to her in rebuilding the country. She needs a manager with hands-on experience on how to generate businesses and improve the financial standing of the country," they said.

Legarda, who traces her roots to Antique, received recommendations from provincemates, Islamic associations, and women’s groups.

President Arroyo said yesterday she will likely name her vice president next week and will not shy away from appointing potential future rivals.

Under the Constitution, she has to choose from among members of Congress. Some are known to harbor presidential ambitions.

Mrs. Arroyo is qualified to seek a full six-year term in May 2004. and conventional thinking holds that she would refrain from choosing somebody who could stand against her in three years’ time.

"I am not thinking of that. I am already President and that is a great honor. No matter what happens, I am President so I already have that honor," she, however, said.

The President said the senators being endorsed for the post are all "very qualified."

"Whoever is named, it will be the right choice," she said.