Taruc V says he's ready to run for Ecija gov

GAPAN CITY , Philippines  – A week ahead of his 32nd birthday and barely a month before the deadline for the filing of the certificates of candidacy for various elective positions nationwide, reluctant gubernatorial wannabe, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Director Jose Taruc V has declared he is fit and ready to make a run at the Capitol in the 2010 elections.

“I’m ready. I’m always ready for anything,” he told newsmen at the Taruc’s ancestral house during the launch of the gift-giving for victims of tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng in three cities and nine municipalities of Nueva Ecija here Wednesday.

At least 30,000 bags of food packs were distributed all over the province during the relief caravan jointly sponsored by DZRH Operation Tulong and Nueva Ecija Damdaming Bayan Foundation.    

Taruc earlier vowed to make public his decision to seek public office right on his birthday on Nov. 4. He also hinted that he might reserve his decision in the waning hours of the deadline for the filing of candidacies.

Taruc said he is carefully weighing all his options and is seeking divine intervention before plunging into the political arena. He said when he ran for vice governor in 2007, he also sought a celestial sign. “That’s important for me,” he said.

Taruc, youngest child and namesake of famed broadcaster Joe Taruc, was the running mate of Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali in 2007. But they have been estranged allies since.

Reports spreading around the province said Taruc is considering former three-term San Jose City mayor Alex Belena as his running mate. Belena, husband of incumbent Mayor Marivic, has made it clear he is not running for mayor in San Jose.

Taruc and Belena are more than political allies. The PCSO director says he considers Belena as a “barkada” (peer) along with Board Member Romeo Borja Jr.

There are reports that Borja, son and namesake of Pantabangan Mayor Romeo Sr., is thinking of joining Taruc’s camp from the Umali camp if the PCSO director decides to seek the governorship.   – Manny Galvez