MMDA chief will run in 2010 to be next 'no-nonsense president'

MANILA, Philippines – Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will run in the 2010 elections intent on becoming the next "no-nonsense president of the country" – with or without the support of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats(Lakas-CMD). In an interview on Tuesday, Fernando hinted that he had already acquired the funds and logistical requirements he would need for a nationwide campaign. In an interview on Tuesday, he said he was confident that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other ranking members of the party will give him the green light because he is qualified to be president. But he said in Filipino: "Even if the party doesn't pick me, I will continue with the campaign because I have a lot friends who will help me." He is not disturbed by the fact that the executive committee of Lakas-CMD has not even considered him as its standard bearer, with the party's national executive director floating two new names – Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Chairman Efraim Genuino of the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor). "They're just floating their names," Fernando said in Filipino. "And I'm the only one of the presidential hopefuls who has declared my intention to run this early." Teodoro belongs to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), and Genuino is the Lakas vice president for operations. According to Roquero, their names cropped up prominently at a recent meeting of Lakas party stalwarts, who believed that the two, though relatively quiet, have had excellent performance records and should be in the coalition’s pool of presidential contenders. As to its vice presidential bet, the party consensus put Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla as a likely vice bet come election time. He said the coalition has emphasized "strong leadership and managerial skills" as the two top criteria for choosing its official presidential and vice presidential bets. The Lakas-CMD official revealed the names of Genuino and Teodoro cropped up at a recent meeting of the party stalwarts as they believed the two has shown excellent performance records. - GMANews.TV