'Outsider' as administration's 2010 bet possible

MANILA, Philippines - The administration coalition may field an outsider as standard-bearer for the 2010 elections as long as he or she meets the qualifications set by the ruling parties, Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said yesterday.

Claudio said the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats held an executive committee meeting over the weekend and came up with a set of criteria for selecting the administration’s standard-bearer.

He also said the administration coalition, which includes the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), has narrowed down its choices to three possible candidates.

One of the criteria is that the presidential candidate has to be identified with or willing to be identified with the administration. Claudio said the administration parties would examine the track record of a candidate’s support for the Arroyo administration.

Another criterion is “presidential qualities,” which include factors like experience, vision, platform and reputation.

Then there is winnability and finally, acceptability to Lakas and
Kampi and other parties of the coalition.

“The administration coalition is determined to field the strongest candidates possible, with the best possible chances of winning and with the best qualification to lead the country in 2010,” Claudio said.

He acknowledged reports that Vice President Noli de Castro, who has consistently topped surveys, and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro were among the final three but the third candidate has yet to be determined.

Claudio did not discount the possibility that the standard-bearer could come from outside the administration coalition.

He said the three candidates are the result of “ongoing consultations among leaders” and also of surveys which preliminarily rate the chances of candidates.

“The reason I’m hesitant to name candidates is because we have a long way to go,” he said.

He said many factors would still come into play, including the merger of Lakas and Kampi and possible coalition with other parties.

When asked about the possibility that other presidential aspirants like Sen. Manuel Villar could be taken in by the administration, he referred to the criteria.

“It’s up to them (if they want to join the administration). If you were to talk about the names mentioned, you have to ask them. Are they willing to be endorsed by the administration or supported by Lakas and Kampi? Or the administration machinery? They have to make their intentions clear,” he said.

He said many presidential aspirants, whom he did not name, were found to have been attempting to raid local officials identified with the administration.

He said the presidential wannabes’ ruse is to tell local officials that they would be the administration standard-bearer.

“Rather than do this behind our backs, they might as well come out. Otherwise we stick with our criteria, which I think are reasonable. You have to have a good indication of whether the material concerned is willing to be associated with the administration or not,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Villar yesterday said he is running for the presidency and nothing else, especially after a recent Social Weather Stations survey revealed that he was among the top four choices for next president.

Asked in a radio interview if there are chances that he would slide down to vice president, Villar indicated that he had long been eyeing the presidency and that he’d rather remain as senator than try the VP post.

Villar, however, said he is open to the possibility of having De Castro as running mate for next year’s elections.

Lakas secretary-general Juan Miguel Zubiri said the party is set to narrow down to three the possible candidates that the party will endorse for the presidential elections.

The choices included De Castro, Teodoro, Sen. Loren Legarda, Villar and possibly, Sen. Richard Gordon.

According to Zubiri, the Lakas-CMD will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to talk about the party’s plans for next year’s elections.

He said they should come out with a candidate by July after a party convention in May or June at the latest.

With regard to the threat of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando to bolt out of Lakas, Zubiri  advised Fernando to be more practical about his plans to run in 2010 considering that it is “a game of popularity.”

Meanwhile, Teodoro said he would respect the results of the administration’s selection process for an official standard-bearer in the 2010 elections and that he would stay with the administration even if he is not picked as the top bet.

In Baguio City, Sen. Panfilo Lacson claimed that the country’s political opposition remains divided and uniting it for 2010 is a long shot.

Lacson admitted here on Saturday that his camp is now talking with a large Filipino political party for a merger of forces in the coming national polls while admitting that his being independent and a “perennial lone ranger” also has its downside.

He claimed he is not talking to former President Joseph Estrada. – With Jaime Laude, Christina Mendez, Artemio Dumlao and Charlie Lagasca