Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., who is seeking to be the standard bearer of the administration Lakas party and the People Power Coalition (PPC), was nowhere to be found during the well-prepared launching of his presidential bid in Quezon City yesterday.
Instead he sent his son, Jose Francisco "Paco" Magsaysay, to deliver an inspirational talk to the 95 organizations that are supporting his candidacy.
The senator was said to be in Florida where he is "recharging" for the "final push" of his presidential bid.
In a phone-patch interview with reporters, Magsaysay said he is confident he will get the endorsement of President Arroyo once he gets elected by the administration Lakas party and the PPC to be its standard bearer next year.
He, however, said that if President Arroyo will decide to run, he will withdraw his candidacy.
Among Lakas party members who have earlier been reported to be interested to seek the presidency, Magsaysay said he was the only one who had openly declared his intention to run.
The others who were reportedly being considered by the Lakas and PPC include Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senators Noli de Castro, Loren Legarda and Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Flavier.
Drilon earlier politely denied that he will be running for President next year. He said he is not even interested to seek the vice presidential post.
"I will do my best to get the party’s approval to be its presidential contender next year. What we need right now is a unifying president to solve all the problems that beset our country, " Magsaysay said.
The senator said the reason he is seeking the presidency is to improve the peace and order situation in the country, to work for national unification and transform a public service to one that would serve the interest of the poor masses.
"I will work for programs that would prioritize health care and other basic things such as abundant potable water supply and a morality-based public service to revive the trust of the public in the government," he said.
Meanwhile, in his speeach at the Quezon City Sports Club where the launching party was held, Paco Magsaysay said that it is high time Filipinos to take the first step in changing the system by electing his father.
"Let me quote a Chinese proverb. A journey of a thousand miles starts from the first step. So, I challenge everyone here to take the first step. I hope we will make the first step today to make changes in our country," the young Magsaysay said, adding that his father is an "independent politician who is not beholden to any party."
For his part, Mark Marquez, technical support information officer of the 95 groups supporting Magsaysay’s candidacy, said they believe that Magsaysay will be a very strong contender in next year’s elections.
"The problem of our country is the same as the problem 50 years ago when Senator Magsaysay’s father became president. Peace and order in Mindanao and the economy. That is the same problem that his father solved," Marquez said.
Meanwhile, Anna Marie Periquet, vice president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said that they want Magsaysay because he is a "dynamic and socially committed leader."
"We really look up to him as a good example because of his qualities of integrity and trustworthiness," Periquet said.
Other groups which voiced their support for Magsaysay were the Citizens Crime Watch, Association of Barangay Captains of Zambales and Bataan, Export Processing Zone Chamber Exporters and Manufacturers Association, Visayan Association of the Philippines, Samahan ng Maralita sa Dagat-Dagatan and Federation of Senior Citizens.
"We ask Senator Magsaysay to respond to our call and run for the Presidency in the 2004 elections to give the Filipino people the choice for a decent, credible and high-morality leadership to stir the country to reforms," the group said in a statement.