Former Miss Universe eyed for governor under Lakas-Kampi-CMD

MANILA, Philippines – Former Miss Universe Margie Moran-Floirendo will face Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo Del Rosario as the pro-administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s candidate for governor in next year’s elections.

Quoting Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo, Lakas-Kampi-CMD president Miguel Rene Dominguez told The STAR the 55-year-old Floirendo is a strong gubernatorial candidate against Del Rosario, who has defected to the Liberal Party.

“We will get a final confirmation soon,” he said.

Lagdameo, a nephew of Floirendo’s husband, Antonio Jr. said his aunt’s name has been one of the very few that cropped up as Lakas-Kampi gubernatorial bet.

“We are still finalizing the lineup. She is one of those considered,” he said.

Del Rosario reportedly brought hundreds of provincial political leaders along with him when he defected to the LP.

Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas has recently moved to the Nacionalista Party.

Dominguez also said the Lakas-Kampi-CMD would “spring some surprises” in its senatorial slate.

The list will be known on or before Dec. 1, the last day of filing certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections, he added.

Dominguez said the pro-administration party aims to fill up the 12 senatorial slots in next year’s elections.

“Our senatorial lineup would be composed of qualified, sincere and winnable candidates, who will genuinely work for the welfare and rights of the people,” he said.

Floirendo, who won the Miss Universe crown in 1973, has a masters of science in managing rural development degree from the University of Imperial College & School of African and Asian Studies in London on top of her business administration degree from Maryknoll College, where she graduated cum laude.

She was recently named president of Ballet Philippines and does volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

The Floirendos have several interests in Davao del Norte, including vast banana plantations, as well as the world-renowned Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

The family also owns the Damosa Gateway commercial and entertainment complex in Davao City.

Del Rosario is the brother of the wife of Floirendo patriarch Antonio Sr.

In Davao del Sur, Mayor Alexander ‘Zander Khan’ Wangkay of Jose Abad Santos town was the first to file his certificate of candidacy for governor last Friday.

Wangkay is the official candidate for governor in Davao del Sur of former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

Davao del Sur Vice Gov. Feliciano Latasa also filed his certificate of candidacy last Friday as Wangkay’s vice gubernatorial running mate.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD gets new blood

Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said yesterday the defections have allowed the pro-administration party to infuse new blood who can bring them to greater heights in next year’s elections.

Speaking at the launching of the 5,000-member Green Team 2010 backing his presidential bid, Teodoro said this new breed of leaders would be the powerhouse that would make a difference come May 2010. – Paolo Romero, Edith Regalado, Jess Diaz, James Mananghaya, Jaime Laude