BF still hopeful to be the administration bet
Posted on September 14th, 2009
Slowly turning out to be the ‘underdog’ as far as his party’s endorsement is concerned and his poor ratings in the survey, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman, and presidential aspirant, Bayani Fernando said he is still hopeful he would be named as the administration standard bearer. This, in spite of the widening support being earned by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, his rival for the party’s nomination.
Teodoro, who seems to be the ‘favored’ one, received additional support from 85 lawmakers and local officials allied to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during a breakfast meeting in Quezon City, Tuesday morning.
Fernando however, belittled this manifesto of support of the lawmakers to Teodoro. He said that these lawmakers, just like Teodoro, are not original members of the administration party. Teodoro came from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), a party founded by his uncle, business tycoon Eduardo Cojuango, Jr. in the 1990s.
He even expressed his doubts if some of those lawmakers who signed the manifesto of support for Teodoro were legitimate members of the party. Fernando said this is just as a “psy-war†being played by some Lakas-Kampi-CMD members who wanted to show that they are gaining momentum in their bid.
As for Vice President Noli de Castro, who was said to be another candidate who might get the administration’s nod to be their standard bearer, Fernando remained unfazed. He said De Castro is not even a member of the ruling party and he has yet to announce whether he would join the Lakas-Kampi-CMD and take part in the selection process.
Fernando has been known to earn the ire of motorists for his controversial traffic policies. He said he will be chosen because he has the “political will, loyalty, and experience.†How the party chooses, Fernando said, “will define the character of the party.†He even warned that “the party will lose†if it chooses Teodoro.
Should the administration chooses Teodoro (or other candidate) over him, Fernando said his open to the possibility of running as an independent candidate.
