Fernando on presidential bid: Lakas should close nomination

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando is asking his political party to stop looking elsewhere for the Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD)’s presidential bet for 2010.

“I move that the nomination be closed,” he told The STAR in an interview before he left for Iloilo yesterday to provide assistance to victims of typhoon Frank in the province. “I am consistent. I think am old enough, the party has no reason to scout around.”

Fernando, who announced his desire to run for president last January, has been going around the country attending activities, speaking engagements, and other events.

He does not seem bothered by the idea that Lakas-CMD might field Vice President Noli de Castro, noting that the latter does not even belong to the political party though he was named its guest candidate in the May 2004 presidential polls. “Loyalty begets loyalty,” he said.

He said Lakas-CMD still has him and former House Speaker and now Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. as possible presidential bets, but admitted that a lot may still happen since elections are still a year and a half away and Lakas is talking to Kampi party members at the regional level to determine if a coalition will indeed be formed.

Political analyst Tony Gatmaitan, in a presentation before the business community last week, named Fernando and Belmonte as among the 16 personalities who would likely run for president if the opportunity presents itself.

He identified De Castro, Fernando, and Belmonte as Lakas-CMD’s possible bets for the 2010 presidential race though the political party may also take in Sen. Richard Gordon if De Castro is pushed out.

If Lakas-CMD and Kampi indeed unite, Gatmaitan said Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno might also get nominated.

Gatmaitan’s  list of possible presidential bets for 2010 include Senators Loren Legarda, Manny Villar, Francis Pangilinan, Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, and Manuel Roxas II; former president Joseph Estrada; Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay; and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.       – Michael Punongbayan