Pangilinan confirms vice presidential ambitions

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis Pangilinan admitted on Tuesday he is interested in seeking the second highest post in the country in the coming 2010 elections. "Tama yan, pero pinagaaralan pa nang husto [That is right but I’m still studying it carefully]," Pangilinan told dzBB radio when asked to confirm news reports that he is eyeing the vice-presidential post in next year's polls. The senator added that he is still mulling whether to run as an independent candidate or as a member of a political party, where he may enjoy its support and political machinery in his looming campaign. "Pinag-aaralan ko nang husto ngayon kung kaya ba ang independent na campaign. Depende kugn saan ang direksyon ng partido. Kung ang direksyon ay dating gawi at tradisyonal pa rin yung politics…ay bakit tayo sasama roon," Panglinan said. [I am still studying whether I can run the campaign independently. It still depends on the direction of the party. If it is gearing towards traditional politics, why will I join it?] Pangilinan, who was re-elected in 2007 as an independent candidate, is a member of the Liberal Party. In the interview, he said that he is still unsure if the LP will get him as the running mate of Senator Manuel Roxas II, who was announced earlier as the party’s standard bearer in the 2010 elections. Aside from Roxas, those who have announced their presidential ambitions or are reported to be eyeing the presidency include Senators Manuel Villar Jr., Panfilo Lacson, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, and Loren Legarda. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando, deposed President Joseph Estrada and religious leaders like Jesus is Lord Movement founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva and El Shaddai founder Bro. Mike Velarde have also said they are open to the idea of running for the presidential race in 2010. Just recently Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, a Catholic priest, also expressed willingness to seek the highest post in the Philippines. - GMANews.TV