Jamby also running for president

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Jamby Madrigal surprised everyone yesterday with an announcement that she would run for president to continue her family’s public service legacy.

But Nacionalista Party spokesman Gilbert Remulla mocked her pronouncement by putting her in the ranks of Eddie Gil and Ely Pamatong, who were considered nuisance presidential candidates in 2004. Remulla said Madrigal’s candidacy would make the elections a “colorful democratic practice.”

“Today, I cross the Rubicon. I am certain in my decision to run for the presidency of the Republic of the Philippines and file my candidacy without hesitation” on Nov. 30, Madrigal told reporters during a press conference in a Makati hotel.

“And to those of you who may question my personal motives, I have none. My only goal is plain and simple, to serve you faithfully,” she said.

She said she chose to make the announcement on the feast of St. Ignatius, patron saint of soldiers.

St. Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish knight who became a hermit and priest and a major figure, along with the Jesuits, in the counter-reformation of the Catholic Church.

Madrigal said she reached her decision after a month-long break and two-week retreat. “Many have asked me to be an agent of change. Although I find this daunting, I now face the challenge squarely. I am an agent of change because I have the resources to run a campaign without being indebted to anyone,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude to the members of her family who were her inspiration, actress Judy Ann Santos who was believed to have boosted the senator’s popularity in the 2004 senatorial elections, and the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. and his wife, actress Susan Roces.

Madrigal said she had not yet decided whether to get Santos again as an endorser.

She stressed that she never compromised the people’s welfare for personal gain and her voting record at the Senate would speak for her. Madrigal voted against the expanded value added tax, the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, which she said was lopsided, and the Anti-Terrorism Law in defense of human rights.

The senator said she was fighting graft and corruption and for the rights of the indigenous people and women and children.

Going against Villar

Despite her declaration, Madrigal said she would not inhibit from the conflict of interest case she filed against NP president and Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. for allegedly benefiting from the C-5 road project.

She said she would still present evidence against Villar because the presidential derby does not have anything to do with the corruption charges against her colleague.

Remulla and another NP spokesman, Adel Tamano, welcomed the announcement of Madrigal, saying it was vindication for Villar.

“We have said all along that the C-5 issue is politically-motivated. The candidacy of Senator Madrigal confirms that,” Remulla said.

Tamano said they would like to wish Madrigal well but her presidential ambition “puts into serious doubt her impartiality as a judge in an ethics complaint against a strong candidate for the presidency.”

But Madrigal said she was not the only one trying Villar but the Senate as a Committee of the Whole.

“They can insult me, I am honored because that means they are affected,” said Madrigal, even challenging Villar to a one-on-one debate.

Madrigal said her colleagues in the opposition would understand her because “it’s fair game” and “may the best man win.”

No endorsement from Erap

She added that she would not seek the endorsement of former President Joseph Estrada, a perceived leader of the opposition, and would support the prosecution of President Arroyo after her term because “I believe there are grounds to prosecute” her.

She said there were many charges against Mrs. Arroyo and that the major thrust of her government would be putting in jail all those people who committed crimes in the country.

“Unless we put the crooks in jail we cannot move forward. We have to punish the crooks and reward the good,” Madrigal said.

Asked whether the country would like another woman president, Madrigal said “gender equality” was important.

Her announcement, however, only firmed up Estrada’s desire to run in the 2010 presidential race.

“She is welcome. She is most welcome,” the former leader said on her declaration.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said he has yet to meet all opposition presidential hopefuls to determine if they will unite and support a lone opposition standard-bearer in 2010.

“If the opposition will not unite, I am 100 percent sure of running for president in 2010. That is if the opposition will not unite,” he said.

Another opposition presidential hopeful, Sen. Loren Legarda, welcomed the decision of Madrigal, although she said she was surprised by the move of her Senate seatmate.

Palace: Bad news for opposition

Malacañang, on the other hand, said Madrigal’s move would enliven the election period and was good for the administration and bad for the opposition.

Acting Executive Secretary Gabriel Claudio also disclosed that at least eight Cabinet officials are planning to seek local and national elective posts in the 2010 polls.

“That (Madrigal running for president) should enliven the contest more,” Claudio told a news briefing. “Let’s see how that’s going to be taken by the opposition.”

He said Estrada is saying that the principal objective of the opposition is to unite under a single presidential candidate, but has also admitted that this is “a practical impossibility.”

The move of Madrigal “definitely broadens the field and it’s an interesting situation for the opposition to handle.”

“I don’t think it would affect the position and the strength of the administration. I think she is going to be a threat to the opposition,” Claudio said.

He, however, refused to disclose the names of the Cabinet officials running for various national and local posts next year as this could expose them to political attacks.

“A good number of them (Cabinet officials) represent agencies that have been performing well and supporting the President effectively and efficiently,” Claudio said.

“They can be better motivated to do a good job... because the public is watching them. I think it is to be expected of them if they run for public office they have to be presenting themselves on the issue of performance,” he said.

Among those rumored to be running for elective posts are Presidential Management Staff chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr., reportedly seeking a congressional seat in Pangasinan; Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, either as a congressman in Bohol or as senator; Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as senator; Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr. as Manila mayor; Education Secretary Jesli Lapus as senator.

Other officials also reportedly running are Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and deputy presidential spokespersons Anthony Golez and Lorelei Fajardo. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Christina Mendez, Paolo Romero