MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Noli de Castro will not endorse a presidential candidate but is supporting the Liberal Party’s Manuel “Mar” Roxas.
De Castro said it was his decision not to publicly support a presidential candidate because he does not want to be tainted with “political color” when he returns to broadcasting at the end of his term.
The Vice President kept mum when asked if he is supporting Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar Jr. Both of them belong to the Senate’s Wednesday Club.
De Castro is hopeful that a peaceful transition in the national leadership would happen at the end of June.
He urged the people and the candidates to help ensure clean, honest and orderly elections and work for the success of the country’s first-ever automated elections.
Last July, De Castro said he believed Mrs. Arroyo would step down from office when their terms expire in June, and stressed that he would oppose any extension of term of office of the President because it is “illegal.”
De Castro announced on Sept. 16 his decision not to join the administration party and seek the presidency.
He had emphasized that if he would run for president in the 2010 election it would be a personal decision and not because he was pushed to seek the presidency.
De Castro said he did not “directly” tell Mrs. Arroyo about his decision but “hinted” they would not be together in one party.