Bayani Fernando hits favoritism in presidential bets selection in Lakas-Kampi

MANILA, Philippines – Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando claimed yesterday that there was apparent favoritism by some party leaders in selecting the administration presidential candidate in the newly merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Fernando, Lakas vice president for the National Capital Region, vowed to push through with his run for president even if he would not be chosen as administration standard-bearer in the May 2010 elections.

“I am continuing. I am not stopping. For more than a year now since I signified my intention of running I am still as eager. I’m in the race. As I have said, I am decided, determined, focused,” Fernando told reporters at the Manila Hotel.

“I’m not against the merger (of Lakas-CMD and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi). I’m against the way some officers of the party are playing favorites among the probable (presidential candidates) which can be so unfair,” Fernando said, without naming names.

Among those being considered to be the administration’s presidential candidates are Vice President Noli de Castro and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

“It actually affects the relationship in the party. But I’m not bolting the party, as I said I am for the merger,” Fernando said.

He was a no-show at the merger ceremony last Thursday at the Manila Hotel.

Asked if he would support the presidential bet to be picked by the party, Fernando said: “I have been asked that question ever since, and I don’t know, I reserve my answer to that. It could depend on the circumstance.”

Although he announced his intention to run for president as early as September 2008, he has been unable to improve his rankings in the surveys, with his highest popularity rating at only two percent.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey on presidentiables, Fernando received 0.3 percent of votes of the 1,200 Filipino adults surbeyed.

A few days after its merger, the new party Lakas-Kampi-CMD is drafting a platform of government that would economically empower the people and continue the reform agenda of the administration amid the global recession.

“Our work in this new merged party is to prove to the people that the reform programs implemented by the government under President Arroyo are correct and are now helping insulate us from the global recession,” said Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who is seeking the nomination of Lakas-Kampi-CMD as its vice-presidential bet in the 2010 elections.

Puno said the party would also have to mount a massive information drive to inform the people of the proper, albeit tough, reforms put in place by Mrs. Arroyo that are responsible for the sustained growth of the domestic economy, which is now shielding Filipinos from the worst effects of the global financial crisis. – With Cecile Suerte Felipe