CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — University of the Philippines professor Randy David believes he will win against President Arroyo if they run for Congress in Pampanga’s second district in next year’s elections.
Speaking during an anti-Charter change forum at the University of the Assumption here Saturday, David said he and the nation are already winners, as he does not entertain any thought of defeat.
“Ang mahalaga ay mabuksan ang isipan ng taumbayan at makilahok na labanan ang balakin ng pulitiko na manahin ng kanilang salinglahi ang namamayaning kultura ng pulitika hindi lang sa Pampanga kungdi sa buong bansa (What is important is that the people are enlightened to put a stop to politicians who believe it is their birthright to rule not only in Pampanga but the entire country),” he said.
David said he is ready to face Mrs. Arroyo in any public debate, which is part of the democratic process so that she can address the issues of the Hello Garci and NBN.
“Hindi ko siya tatantanan sa mga candidates forum para sagutin niya ang mga katanungan hinggil sa Hello Garci Scandal at NBN-ZTE deal,” he said.
David vowed to shut doors that Mrs. Arroyo and her allies will open to perpetuate themselves in power through the old system of patronage politics.
“Lahat ng pintuang bubuksan nila ay ating isasara para pigilan ang kanilang balaking isulong ang makitid na ambisyon at panatilihin ang lumang pampulitikang sisteman ng patronage politics,” he said.
David said running against Mrs. Arroyo is like going against a wall as she has all government resources at her disposal.
However, challenging Mrs. Arroyo will give hope and courage to many, he added.
A number of people have already offered pledges to him, with some advising him to open a bank account where pledges can be deposited, David said.
Pampanga Bishop Ambo David said his older brother has already opted to also run in the province’s 2nd congressional district and go up against Mrs. Arroyo.
“He will not allow President Arroyo to go unchallenged in Pampanga,” the bishop said in an interview with Church-run Radyo Veritas.
Meanwhile, Bishop David said he was surprised when his brother announced that he would run against Mrs. Arroyo next year.
“Wala ni katiting na interes sa pulitika si kuya, pero di na talaga niya masikmura ang mga pamamaraan ni GMA sa pulitika (My older brother really has no interest in politics, but he can no longer stomach Arroyo’s political maneuverings),” he said.
Bishop David said he will support his brother in his congressional bid in his personal capacity as a resident of Pampanga.
“Sobra-sobra na ang katiwalian dito sa aming probinsiya at lalong lumala ang sugal na jueteng (Corruption is rampant in our province, even the illegal jueteng is getting worse),” he said.
On the other hand, Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Roberto Mallari said Bishop David’s announcement has not changed the Catholic Church’s stand against endorsing a political candidate.
“Sinabi ni Bishop David na suportahan niya ang kanyang kuya hindi bilang isang obispo ng Simbahang Katolika kundi bilang isang indibidwal na nagnanais magkaroon ng pagbabago sa sistema ng pulitika sa bansa (Bishop David has said that he will support his brother not as member of the church but as an individual who wants to effect change in the political system),” he said.
“Actually, ang new politics na aming isinusulong ay panlaban sa umiiral na patronage politics ngayon sa bansa hindi lang dito sa Pampanga (Our new politics aims to challenge the patronage politics not only in Pampanga but in the entire country).
“Sila-sila na lang at kanilang mga kaibigan ang nasa puwesto ang humahawak ng kapangyarihan (Only a few relatives and their friends are in power).”
A Capampangan, Randy David was born at Betis in Guagua town. – With Helen Flores, Dennis Carcamo