Mike Velarde bares plan to seek public office

El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde on Wednesday revealed that he wants to run for public office in 2010 and is "consulting" with the core members of the worldwide charismatic movement on his plan. Velarde said he wants to get the approval of the religious group's supposed seven million followers in the country because without their support, his dream may not materialize. “My entering politics lie in their hands because we believe that the voice of the people is the voice of the Lord. That dictum is not just for any people. It should be for the voice of the people of God," he said. “I am in the process of consulting our members nationwide and worldwide what to do in the 2010 elections," he added. He did not specify which position he was targeting. Last March, he said he would run in the 2010 presidential race if he will be endorsed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). “’Pag sinabi sa akin ng CBCP, ‘ikaw na Brother Mike,’ sasabihin ko, ‘yes sir.’ Kasi masunurin ako, I’m a loyal soldier kasi ng simbahan," Velarde said. [See: Bro Mike Velarde tatakbong presidente kapag inindorso ng CBCP] The CBCP has not singled out anyone who might be getting its vote for the May 2010 elections. “As a group, we never endorse (candidates) because it’s a political act," CBCP president Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo had earlier said. Velarde said that should his flock ultimately vote against his running in the upcoming polls, he would just endorse one of the candidates. “If they don’t want me to run, then let’s agree to make a choice whom we can vote. I still have my plan," he said. The El Shaddai - a Catholic charismatic movement which is reputed to have played a pivotal role in the country’s past elections - has international chapters in over 30 countries. Velarde was among three religious figures to land a spot in a June 1 Pulse Asia survey of prefered 2010 presidential candidates. In the survey, Velarde, Jesus Is Lord Movement leader Eddie Villanueva, and Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio each received a preference rating of 0.3 percent, 0.4 percent, and 0.2 percent, respectively. [See: Erap willing to take Noli into opposition camp's open arms] Like other major religious groups in the Philippines, El Shaddai plays a major role during elections as Velarde in the past has been seen openly encouraging followers to support certain candidates. In 1992, El Shaddai's support for then Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos was said to have been significant in the latter's triumph in the presidential race. More importantly, however, Ramos was supported by then President Corazon Aquino, who refused to back then House Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr., the official candidate of the ruling Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) party. Mitra, then known as an epitomé of traditional politics, managed to land a poor 4th in a seven-sided race. Landing close to Ramos was People’s Reform Party candidate Miriam Defensor Santiago (now a senator), who accused the former general of cheating her. A petition for a recount by Mrs. Santiago, however, did not prosper. Coming in 3rd was industrialist Eduardo “Danding" Cojuangco, who ran under the banner of his Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos was 5th, former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga placed 6th, and then Vice President Salvador Laurel was 7th. - GMANews.TV