Fernando determined to be admin bet in 2010

Unfazed by his poor ratings and what he considered as "favoritism" within his political party, the "hero" remains determined to stand his ground and charge on with his bid for the presidency in next year's elections. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando on Tuesday said he is still hopeful he would be named as the administration standard bearer, despite the widening support being earned by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, a rival for the party’s nomination. Earlier in the day, Teodoro received the support of least 85 lawmakers and local officials allied to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during a breakfast meeting in Quezon City. [See: 85 lawmakers endorse Teodoro as admin bet] Hours later at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, Fernando reiterated his bid for the presidency in the 2010 polls, coming at a time when the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party is to announce its standard bearer on Wednesday. Fernando even belittled the manifesto of support of the lawmakers to Teodoro, who is not an original member of the party. Teodoro came from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), a party founded by his uncle, business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. in the early 1990s. Turning the tables on the lawmakers, Fernando doubted whether all of them were legitimate members of the party. "Eh iyang mga lawmaker, hindi naman lahat kapartido namin. Kaya walang pakialam iyong mga lawmaker sa selection process. Hindi naman sila kapartido," Fernando said. He downplayed as "psy-war" the support of some Lakas-Kampi-CMD members being given to Teodoro, saying: "Siyempre, gusto nilang ipakita na mananalo sila." Likewise, Fernando remained undaunted by the persistent rumors that Vice President Noli de Castro would be the administration's bet in the 2010 polls. De Castro is not a member of the ruling party and has yet to announce whether he would join the Lakas-Kampi-CMD and take part in the selection process. "Iyan ay hindi papasubalian ninuman. At siyempre, bilang ka-partido, iyan ang pinaka mabigat at pinakapangunahing konsiderasyon," Fernando said. (No one can contest that. And being a member is one of the biggest consideration of the party in selecting a standard bearer.) Fernando said the result of the selection process "will define the character of the party," quickly claiming that he already has the vote of the people despite his image as an "anti-poor" public official. Fernando, known to have earned the ire of motorists for his controversial traffic policies, said he should be chosen because he has "the political will, loyalty, and experience." He warned that "the party will lose" if it chooses Teodoro. But in case he does not get picked by Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Fernando said he was "open to the possibility of running as independent candidate. That's a possibility I'm not discounting." Courting congressmen As if to stress his determination to be the administration's presidential bet, Fernando on Tuesday afternoon made the rounds at the House of Representatives to court administration lawmakers. "Nangangampanya ako sa mga congressman (I am campaigning among coungressmen)," Fernando told reporters after stepping out of the office of Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Lagdameo Jr. "Kinakailangan kausapin uli lahat ng mga miyembro (All members need to be talked to again)." Fernando was accompanied by Marikina City Rep. Marcelino Teodoro in his rounds. Fernando once served as Marikina mayor. In downplaying the manifesto of support for Sec. Teodoro by more than 80 congressmen, Fernando pointed out that they are not all part of the 64-member Lakas-Kampi-CMD executive committee that is expected to vote on the party's standard bearer on Wednesday. "Magaling [ang manifesto] pero hindi naman lahat boboto yun e (That was good, but they will not all vote)," he said. "Basta ako'y desidido, pursigido, diretso (Whatever happens, I am decided, determined, and head-on)," added the MMDA chairman. Lakas-Kampi-CMD spokesperson and Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez said the strong showing of Lakas-Kampi congressmen at the breakfast meeting Teodoro earlier in the day is an "indication" of many congressmen's choice for standard bearer. Alvarez told reporters that Teodoro's nine-year stint as representative of Tarlac's first district probably helped win the support of many of his colleagues in the House. Selection process Even as he said the selection process is not yet finished, Alvarez said the party cannot and would not stop Fernando from pursuing his presidential bid if the defense chief gets chosen over the MMDA chairman. For his part, presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio and Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary-general said the party treats fairly and equally all candidates to become standard bearer. Assuring that the selection process will be extensive, the Palace official said De Castro still has time to express willingness to join the party and be a contender to become the party standard bearer. Among De Castro, Teodoro, and Fernando, it is the Vice President who consistently figures prominently in popularity surveys. In the latest presidential preference survey of another poll firm, Social Weather Stations, De Castro ranked fifth with seven percent of the respondents choosing him. Liberal Party standard bearer and Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III topped the survey with 50 percent, while Fernando and Teodoro failed to land a spot for earning below one percent of all the respondents. - with reports from Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV