Guingona says he’s getting plenty of offers for ’04 polls

Despite his declaration that he is no longer interested in standing for election, Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. said yesterday that he has been getting various invitations from different political groups.

However, Guingona said he is still studying the offers, including one to lead the senatorial slate of the administration Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), which he bolted in October.

"I still have to decide. Right now, I have not made up my mind," he said in an interview.

Guingona also said he is not inclined to accept any offers to lead the senatorial ticket of the ruling party. He had resigned as president of Lakas-CMD over policy differences with President Arroyo, the party’s chairman.

He also denied reports that he and his recently launched Bangon! reform movement were poised to join the camp of actor and opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.

The Bangon! movement, he said, is a political organization that is supposed to be non-partisan and will not involve itself in partisan political activities. "It is a nationalist movement that will pursue reforms rather than involve itself in personalities," Guingona said.

During the Bangon! movement’s launching on Nov. 20, Guingona said he would not run for any elective post in the May 2004 elections, but added that he is not retiring from active politics.

Instead, Guingona said he will concentrate on leading Bangon!, a multisectoral, mass-based movement touted as a "nationalist third force," in relentlessly pursuing a number of government reforms — particularly in addressing the problems of public sector corruption and social inequity.

Reports said former executive secretary Renato de Villa has met with Guingona on matters involving the coming national elections. De Villa is now part of an alliance backing the presidential bid of former education secretary Raul Roco.

On the ANC television program "On-Line" aired on Dec. 24, Guingona urged voters to judge presidential aspirants on their "character and integrity."

He said occupying the nation’s highest post would be a "learning experience" for whoever wins the presidential race next year. He also said previous experience in high public office is "not necessarily an accurate gauge of a person’s capability or readiness" to be president.

While the Philippines "has had well-experienced, brilliant and popular presidents" in the past, he said that these presidents’ experience did not necessarily provide the country with prosperity and good governance.

"What is important is (a leader’s) sincerity in making decisions, even without ponderous knowledge," he said. He also said "not being beholden to vested interests" is also vital to good leadership.

Voters, he said, "should look into the character, the sincerity and the record of the candidates and what they represent."

Guingona also gave his opinions on some presidential candidates over the news program, saying Mrs. Arroyo "is in a very unique position, since she knows where she has succeeded and where she has failed."

The President, he added, "also knows who were excess baggage (in her administration)," and, "with that knowledge, she could, in the future, move to correct her past mistakes."

However, Guingona said, the President’s decision to go back on her vow not to run for a full, six-year term of office has "fueled disunity" and has caused some sectors to perceive her as "not sincere."

Guingona also commented on Poe’s candidacy, saying "the fact that he (Poe) is popular is an asset that must be channeled in the right direction." Poe’s lack of experience in the political and public service sectors, however, "should not be taken against (him)."

Airing his opinion on the candidacy of Jesus is Lord (JIL) movement leader evangelist Eddie Villanueva, Guingona said Villanueva "has the qualities of a righteous leader."

He also said that if the coming national elections are not clean and credible, the political exercise could cause "further division and disunity."

"This is why the government and all political parties must work to make the May 2004 elections clean, credible and honest. This would be the first step for us to achieve genuine national reconciliation," he said.