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By William B. Depasupil Reporter
Chairman Bayani Fernando of
the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) made an
announcement that will probably make people see pink—that he is
running for president in 2010.
Fernando made the announcement at
Wednesday’s “No Holds Barred” forum of the National
Press Club, where he was the guest of honor with Education
Undersecretary Ramon Bacani.
“Yes, I’m running for
president in 2010. I will be the next president of the
Philippines,” said Fernando, whose traffic programs are painted
with his signature shade—pink.
He added that if elected
president, he will be bringing with him a wealth of experience that
includes 25 years of managing a private business and 16 years
of public service, nine years of which as Marikina City mayor and
one year in concurrent capacity as secretary of the Department of
Public Works and Highways and as Metro Manila Development Authority
chairman.
Fernando said he will seek for
the nomination of his party, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD),
which is allied with President Gloria Arroyo’s party, the
Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi. Lakas and
Kampi are coalesced and are talking of merging.
He said he is confident of
becoming the Lakas standard-bearer, adding that “so far I’m the
only one in Lakas who [has] expressed interest to run as
president in 2010.”
Mrs. Arroyo and her allies
founded Kampi in 1998 when she ran and won as vice-president under
the Lakas banner with former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. as the
presidential bet. He lost to former President Joseph Estrada.
Lakas was founded by the late
Senator Raul Manglapus, de Venecia and former President
Fidel Ramos. Ramos bolted the then-ruling Lapian ng
Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) to run for president in 1992 after losing
the party nomination to the late Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr.
Others reportedly aspiring for
the presidency in 2010 are Vice President Noli de Casro, Senate
President Manuel Villar Jr., Senator Manuel Roxas 2nd,
Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Loren Legarda, Makati Mayor Jejomar
Binay and even former President Estrada.
Fernando brushed aside
accusations of early campaigning, saying that as a presidential
aspirant he must be visible so that the people will get to know him.
“I have only nine to 12 months
to show and prove may capability to my partymates,” he said,
adding that the final decision to choose the Lakas bet remains with its
leaders and members.
He said he is determined to push
ahead with his presidential plans, hinting that if he is not
nominated by Lakas, he might run as an independent.
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