Political unknowns declare own presidential, VP bets

MANILA, Philippines - Rallying behind the platform “zero corruption,” two unknowns were proclaimed yesterday as candidates for president and vice president in next year’s elections.

They are lawyer Apolonia Comia-Soguilon and retired judge Diego Maceda Palomares, who will run under the Philippine Green Republican Party (PGRP).

“We know we will be competing with bigger political parties, but if the voters want a government that is zero corruption, they will choose us,” PGRP chairman Ildeponso Puerto said. “If they want a new kind of leadership, it is us that they are looking for.”

PGRP secretary-general Alex Lague said it is time to elect an honest and God-fearing candidate to lead the country from “rampant corruption and poverty.”

“Our beloved country the Philippines needs a leader to stop corruption,” he said. “A leader who is not only honest, morally upright, who has knowledge of law and justice; who has a great love for country; who has deep concern for the welfare of the people… and will lead the Filipino people to make the country to be great again, if not to be the greater nation among all nations.” 

The Commission on Elections accredited the PGRP in 2010, but its presidential bet, Felix Cantal, was declared a nuisance candidate.