The change came after President Arroyo formally announced last Monday her decision to choose De Castro as her running mate in the May polls.
"We fully support the decision of Kabayan Noli de Castro to run for vice president. We still believe that his leadership will be unifying and inspiring," said Francisco Catibayan, the group’s spokesman.
In a statement she issued at the Palace, Mrs. Arroyo said De Castro is "making a big sacrifice" in accepting the draft to run with her instead of running against her.
"We respect him as a senator and leader and we know he will be a good vice president," she said.
Mrs. Arroyo also thanked Lakas Sen. Robert Barbers, who has withdrawn his vice presidential bid to give way to De Castro "for the sake of unity."
In choosing De Castro as her running mate, the President cited five reasons: he enriches the team in terms of professional competence and political weight, he draws his broad constituency from millions of Filipinos who track his sharp investigative reports and commentary, he is a media educator and communicator, he has touched many lives through his advocacy of social and criminal justice, and he will be indispensable in boosting popular appreciation and understanding of issues.
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye vehemently denied rumors that De Castro agreed to slide down to vice president in exchange for a P750-million payoff.
"In the first place, we have not that much money. I think that is something totally without basis," Bunye said.
According to Catibayan, a majority of more than 20,000 members of the Kabayan for President Movement were a bit disappointed with De Castro’s decision.
"We still believe that he would make a good president. After all he was leading in the surveys. He could still run as president in the next election," said Catibayan, predicting that De Castro would win the vice presidential race by a wide margin.
Earlier, Catibayan said their group is open to the possibility of De Castro running as vice president but not under Mrs. Arroyo.
Meanwhile, the Arroyo-De Castro tandem has been hailed as a victory for the administration party by Lakas-CMD lawmakers.
"It’s a very powerful team. Both GMA and Noli are already assured of victory in the May 2004 elections," said Rep. Prospero Nograles of Davao City.
In a joint statement, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano, Assistant Majority Leader Allan Peter Cayetano, Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier, Iloilo Rep. August Syjuco and Nograles said the tandem is the most worthy and deserving of the electorate’s support.
Another statement made by Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr., Bulacan Rep. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco and Nograles said the solidarity of the administration coalition will definitely lead the team to an all-out victory in 2004.
However, supporters of Sen. Panfilo Lacson said that De Castro’s popularity is non-transferable to Mrs. Arroyo and would not benefit her.
Lito Banayo, spokesman for the Ping Lacson for President Movement (PLPM), yesterday belittled claims that De Castro’s decision to become Mrs. Arroyo’s running mate has increased her chance of winning in her bid to seek a full six-year term as president.
Banayo cited as an example the 1998 elections where Speaker Jose de Venecia was trounced at the polls despite having a popular running mate in the person of then Senator Gloria Arroyo, who had a landslide victory.
A similar case happened in 1992, he said, when businessman Eduardo Cojuangco picked then Sen. Joseph Estrada as running mate. Cojuangco lost to Fidel Ramos but Estrada won handily.
According to Banayo, the electorate tend to pick their presidential and vice presidential choices from different parties as seen from past presidential elections because running mates usually have different political perspectives.
That is why, he said, Lacson wants to have Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando as running mate because they represent the same perspective, principles and impressive track record in public service.
Banayo revealed that Lacson and Fernando are now "in the final stage of discussion" and an announcement will be made soon.
In a separate interview, Fernando said that he is definite about one thing: he is not going to run for senator.
"I don’t want to shortchange the Filipino people. I know I will not be a good senator because I don’t have any experience in legislation," Fernando, a businessman and Marikina’s mayor for nine years, said. — With reports from Marichu Villanueva, Nikko Dizon, Jose Rodel Clapano