Zubiri: MMDA's Fernando out of Lakas list of ‘presidentiables’

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando has been dropped from the list of choices for the presidential bet of administration party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Thursday. Zubiri, Lakas-CMD secretary general, said this was because of Fernando’s dismal performance in the surveys. "If he [Fernando] does better in the next survey, he could be included but now hindi muna siya kasama sa pagpipilian [he is not among the choices]," Zubiri said in an interview. The senator said the party has to consider the winnability of its candidate. As of posting time, GMANews.TV has yet to get the reaction of Fernando. His aide said the MMDA chairman is in a conference in Manila. In the result of the survey conducted by Pulse Asia February 2 to 15, Fernando was at the bottom of the list with only one percent of the respondents choosing him. Vice-President Noli de Castro topped the survey with 19 percent preference, followed by Senator Francis Escudero (17 percent), former President Joseph Estrada (16 percent), and Senator Manuel B. Villar Jr. (15 percent). On the other hand, Senator Loren Legarda received 12 percent; Senator Manuel Roxas II (8 percent), Senator Panfilo Lacson (6 percent) and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay (2 percent). Zubiri said among the personalities being considered by the Lakas party are Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Senator Loren Legarda from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC); Senator Manuel Villar (Nacionalista Party); De Castro and Senator Richard Gordon. Legarda, however, is allied with the opposition. Villar is said to be eyeing the presidency under his own party. Zubiri said Teodoro is a welcome addition to the list of potential presidential candidates, saying the latter is "highly qualified in terms of education, achievement, experience and character." He said the defense secretary is also doing a good job in providing security and maintaining the peace and order in the country. The senator said Teodoro only needs proper "proper imaging and popularity." Zubiri saiid Lakas-CMD will be able to announce its candidate by June as the party will hold its national convention in May. - GMANews.TV