Fernando vows to block Teodoro as Lakas bet

MANILA, Philippines – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando vowed to block the participation of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and Vice President Noli de Castro in the selection process for Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer in the 2010 elections.

“Definitely I will block the entry of De Castro and Teodoro to the party because I am of the belief that party members should be the top priority in the search for a presidential candidate, not party outsiders,” Fernando said.

Fernando, a Lakas-CMD member, boycotted last week’s merger of his party with Kampi, to protest the floating of the names of De Castro and Teodoro as possible presidential candidates of the coalition. De Castro is independent while Teodoro was a Tarlac congressman belonging to the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

The MMDA chief also told Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, former Lakas secretary-general, to “shut up” and refrain from making “comments or advice” regarding the selection of the Lakas standard-bearer for 2010.

He was reacting to Zubiri’s earlier advice for him to campaign with party leaders if he wanted to be drafted by the party as its standard-bearer.

Fernando accused Zubiri of betraying the party and the people with his endorsement of De Castro and Teodoro.

“He stabbed me in the back, and that should not have happened because we are partymates,” Fernando said in Filipino, referring to Zubiri.

Fernando said De Castro and Teodoro should first serve the party before considering representing the coalition in the coming elections.

He also reiterated his determination to run for president in 2010.

“It has never entered my mind that I will not be chosen by the party. I am expecting that I will be chosen as the standard-bearer because Lakas has no other party member who will run (for president),” he said. 

Opposition shines

United Opposition spokesman Ernesto Maceda said it was former President Joseph Estrada and other opposition candidates who displayed competence and charisma in the recent ANC leadership forum.

In the same forum, Maceda said the desperation and disunity in the administration also showed.

“Aside from charisma and wisdom in articulating proposed answers to the country’s problems, former President Joseph Estrada showed experience in national governance and a total commitment to uplifting the conditions of the Filipino masses,” Maceda said

He also said the forum showed Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay’s readiness to assume a national position with his success as city mayor.

Maceda said Binay’s willingness to give up his presidential bid in favor of Estrada demonstrates his being a team player.

“Sen. Loren Legarda was able to underscore her achievements in crafting timely pieces of legislation and has reiterated the need for the public to be vigilant against another grand scheme to cheat in the elections,” Maceda said.

He added that “Sen. Panfilo Lacson showed candor, political maturity and good judgment when he withdrew from running for president.”

“I hope that Lacson would seriously consider playing a major part in the campaign to unify UNO,” Maceda said.

“Sen. Lacson’s no-nonsense approach to the country’s woes would enrich the opposition’s ranks,” Maceda said.

“The way Bayani Fernando talks, it seems he is now acting as an opposition within the administration.” Maceda said.

For her part, Tita de Villa of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting said the fewer number of presidential candidates in next year’s polls, the better the chances are of electing a president who will represent the majority.

“We at PPCRV are giving voters’ education... it’s ideal if there are three candidates only so there will be less confusion among voters,” De Villa, the group’s chair said.

She added that it will be easier for voters and other poll watchdog groups like the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) to do a background check and profiles of candidates if there are less aspirants for the presidency.

“There is less danger of having a minority president because the support of the people will be massive,” De Villa, who welcomed the withdrawal of Lacson from the race, said.

Defections

Meanwhile, the governor of Marinduque and congressmen from Surigao del Sur and Bulacan have bolted their respective political parties to join the ruling Lakas.

Ray Roquero of the newly merged Lakas and Kampi said Marinduque Gov. Jose Antonio Carreon, Surigao del Sur Rep. Florencio Garay and Bulacan Rep. Danilo Fernandez comprised the first batch of local political leaders to join the party.

Carreon, prior to his entry to Lakas-Kampi-CMD, was an independent governor.

“The entry of leading local officials could signal a start of defections to the administration party,” Roquero said.

Garay was from the Nacionalista Party while Fernandez belonged to the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas.

Roquero said at least two more lawmakers from Metro Manila and one governor from Mindanao are also planning to join the administration coalition.

He said the party is ready to “set a new standard of politics.” 

“We welcome with open arms those who believe in the party’s ideology and see its program as the articulation of our people’s aspirations,” he said.

He said the “super-party” is gaining members “because we are organized, we know our goals and we know how to achieve them for the benefit of our people.”

“No other political party can lay claim to this fact,” Roquero added. - Dennis Carcamo, Jose Rodel Clapano and Perseus Echeminada