Gibo, Edu lead Lakas bets; BF runs for vice president

MANILA, Philippines - Former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro and television host Edu Manzano led the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD in filing their certificates of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday.

Teodoro filed his COC as presidential candidate of the ruling party with Manzano as his running mate.

Teodoro and Manzano, sidetepped questions from the media on how the decision of President Arroyo to run for Congress would affect their campaign strategy.

“She is running for Congress while we are focused on the national campaign. (Her candidacy) has nothing to do with our nationwide campaign,” Teodoro said, adding that he has no problem if his former boss would ask him to campaign along with her in Pampanga. He said this would even help him win more votes in the province.

Manzano, for his part, said each administration candidate is separate and distinct from each other.

“I think she has her own campaign to worry about and we have our own campaign to worry about,” he said.

The tandem of Teodoro and Manzano led some 2,000 mostly green-shirted supporters and were accompanied by the President’s cousin and League of Municipalities president, Binalonan, Pangasinan Mayor Ramon Guico who filed his COC for senator with the ruling party.

Teodoro was accompanied by his wife Tarlac Rep. Monica Prieto and mother Mercedita.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD chairman Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez came along with other party leaders after attending Mass at the nearby Manila Cathedral.

A few hours later, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. filed his COC to seek re-election in the Senate. He came with his wife, actress Lani, and their children.

Revilla said he timed his filing at 1 p.m. yesterday, believing it to be his lucky time and date according to feng shui.

While being an “adopted candidate” of the opposition Partido ng Masang Pilipino, the Nacionalista Party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and Nationalist People’s Coalition, Revilla said he would be rooting only for Teodoro.

“Ever since I started my career in politics as vice governor of Cavite, I have been with (Lakas), so I decided to stay (put),” he said.

Lakas-CMD-Kampi senatorial bets Sen. Lito Lapid and veteran radio broadcaster Rey Langit filed their COCs earlier.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who ran under the administration coalition in the 2004 elections, filed her COC as a guest candidate of the party.

Teodoro did not mention Santiago, declaring that only four – Guico, Langit, Lapid and Revilla – would comprise his senatorial slate.

He said the remaining slots are allotted for guest candidates. Last night, another Lakas-Kampi senatorial candidate, Secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello III, filed his COC.

Teodoro pointed out that other political parties are also having difficulty completing their senatorial slate.

Teodoro told the crowd of supporters that the filing of the COCs “is the first step” in the long journey to victory in the 2010 national elections.

He also said the people should not be looking for change but go for tried and tested leadership.

“This is not the time to make an experiment,” Teodoro said.

“Go for the tried and tested leadership and we can provide that under the Lakas-CMD-Kampi... we are confident that the people will realize the value of tested performance with a good platform of balanced reform,” he added.

“I will work hard and go around to communicate effectively my platform of government to all Filipinos,” Teodoro added.

Teodoro said his leadership would be focused on “paghihilom” (healing), bridging the social divide and patching up political differences that have plagued the nation in recent years.

“A leadership that advocates nothing but hate will be very counterproductive for our people. Working together offers us the best chance of helping our country get back to the path of development and progress,” he said.

Citing an example, Teodoro said he harbors no ill feelings against anyone, even Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando, who lost to him in the presidential nomination of the ruling party.

Fernando went on his own and later agreed to run as vice presidential candidate in tandem with Sen. Richard Gordon, who filed his COC for president at the Comelec yesterday.

Teodoro said friendship should be beyond politics.

“What is important after next year’s political exercise, all Filipino leaders and their followers must unite for a better future for all Filipinos,” he said. –With Jaime Laude