By ELLEN TORDESILLAS
SAYING that the administration of Gloria Arroyo has “undeniably been successful” in fighting poverty, former Defense Secrerary Gilbert Teodoro vowed to continue the programs of Arroyo if he is elected president.
Teodoro and actor Edu Manzano, former chairman of the Optical Media Board, were proclaimed as Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively, in the administration party’s national convention held this morning at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Teodoro vowed: “We will address the four faces of poverty: poverty of the mind, poverty of the pocket, poverty of the environment, and poverty of relationship.”
He said in confronting the poverty of the mind, “ We shall endeavor to raise our economy to a higher level of productivity and prosperity continuing what is being done by our government today and undeniably, it has been a success.”
Teodoro also said he will push for a change of the Constitution. “Many in our society feel that our form of governance is no longer adequate to answer the problems we face. The call for charter change has become louder and louder. In addressing this concern, we shall endeavor to seek legislation calling for a constitutional convention at the earliest possible time so that the people themselves, through their delegates may decide one way or the other how to confront this legitimate concern,” he said.
Teodoro said his campaign will be founded, not on criticism, but on performance.
“I was told it’s hard to campaign. It’s true because the easiest way to campaign is to criticize. But we will not criticize. We will campaign while continuing to perform day in and day out for our people,” he said.
Manzano, on the other hand, lamented his detractors’ belittling him because of his showbusiness background.
“My friends, after the announcement that I’ve accepted the nomination to be the running mate of Secretary Gibo (Gilbert) Teodoro, may mga nagtaas ng mga kilay at nagsabing wala po akong ‘K’ kasi ako daw ay isa lamang aktor at entertainment personality (some raised their eyebrows and said I had no right because I am a mere actor).”
“They (critics) conveniently close their eyes and minds to the fact that I have had training and experience in the military. I have worked in banking, in shipping, and hotel industries before entering the field of entertainment and the political arena,” he said.
“But beyond that… I also offer my honest labor, my personal integrity and dedication to duty fortified by my experience in local governance and law enforcement,” Manzano said.
Speaking in Filipino toward the end of his speech, Teodoro said a vote for himself Manzano would be a vote of confidence in their capability to deliver on their promises. “I promise that hindi kayo mabibigo (you will not be disappointed)!” he said.
In turning over the leadership of Lakas-Kampi-CMD to Teodoro, Arroyo boasted that despite the reported defections in recent days to Nactionalista and Liberal parties, Lakas-Kampi-CMD is still the “dominant party of our generation.”
“Our party has been the largest political party for 15 of the last 17 years. Seventy-two percent of the country’s elected leaders are part of us. Think of it, almost three out of four elected leaders are party members. This overwhelming majority confirms that our party is the true party of the people,” she said.
Last Wednesday, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita , party president, released the seven who will be in the Lakas-Kampi-CMD senatorial ticket. They are reelectionist senators and actors Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Manuel “Lito” Lapid, secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello III, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, radio anchor Reynante “Rey” Langit, businessman Jesus Arranza who is president of the Federation of Philippine Industries, and Ramon Guico Jr., mayor of Binalonan in Pangasinan and president of the League of Municipalities.
Ermita said the party is considering Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, whom he described as “competent, useful, and very…valuable political leaders,” to be their guest candidates. Enrile is mentioned to be with former President Joseph Estrada while Santiago is included in the ticket of NP’s Manuel “Manny” Villar.
Ermita also said there might still be changes in lineup because d Duque might opt not to run. Bello had earlier been reported to be considering running for congressman of Cagayan.
The administration party is also considering as senatorial candidates Bayani Fernando, MMDA chairman, and former Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane who are eyeing the presidency, in case they change their minds.