GMANews.TV - Friday, September 25
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando said he is willing to slide down and run for vice president instead of seeking the country's top post, an administration stalwart said Thursday. But Fernando, whose bid to become administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD's standard bearer was turned down in favor of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., quickly denied issuing any statement on his political plans for 2010.
Local Water Utilities Administration chairman Prospero Pichay, the party’s vice president for membership and recruitment, said one of Fernando's aides informed him earlier in the day of the MMDA chairman's purported decision. "He [Bayani] said he is also interested to participate in the selection process for vice president," Pichay said at the weekly Serye forum in Quezon City.
Fernando, along with Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, would be considered for the VP post, Pichay said. The party will also court award-winning actress and Batangas Vice Governor Vilma Santos into being its vice presidential bet, Pichay said, adding that Teodoro's take might also be weighed in the party's choice. But Fernando, in a phone interview with GMANews.TV, denied Pichay's claim. "Wala akong sinasabing ganun (I said no such thing)," he said. Fernando said his aides also could not have made the statement. When asked whether he has made up his mind about his next political step, Fernando said, "Nagpapahinga pa ako ng buhay ko (I am still taking a break)."
Fernando had earlier said running for president as an independent candidate was one of his options if Lakas-Kampi-CMD does not choose him as its standard bearer.
On September 16, members of the party's national executive committee voted to pick Teodoro as its preferred presidential bet. The decision is still subject to ratification by a convention. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.Tv
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando said he is willing to slide down and run for vice president instead of seeking the country's top post, an administration stalwart said Thursday. But Fernando, whose bid to become administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD's standard bearer was turned down in favor of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., quickly denied issuing any statement on his political plans for 2010.
Local Water Utilities Administration chairman Prospero Pichay, the party’s vice president for membership and recruitment, said one of Fernando's aides informed him earlier in the day of the MMDA chairman's purported decision. "He [Bayani] said he is also interested to participate in the selection process for vice president," Pichay said at the weekly Serye forum in Quezon City.
Fernando, along with Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, would be considered for the VP post, Pichay said. The party will also court award-winning actress and Batangas Vice Governor Vilma Santos into being its vice presidential bet, Pichay said, adding that Teodoro's take might also be weighed in the party's choice. But Fernando, in a phone interview with GMANews.TV, denied Pichay's claim. "Wala akong sinasabing ganun (I said no such thing)," he said. Fernando said his aides also could not have made the statement. When asked whether he has made up his mind about his next political step, Fernando said, "Nagpapahinga pa ako ng buhay ko (I am still taking a break)."
Fernando had earlier said running for president as an independent candidate was one of his options if Lakas-Kampi-CMD does not choose him as its standard bearer.
On September 16, members of the party's national executive committee voted to pick Teodoro as its preferred presidential bet. The decision is still subject to ratification by a convention. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.Tv