Pichay: Fernando to slide down to VP; Fernando denies claim

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando has expressed his willingness to slide down and seek the vice presidency instead of the country's top post in next year's polls, an administration stalwart said Thursday. But Fernando, whose bid to become the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party's standard bearer was turned down in favor of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., quickly denied issuing any statement on his political plans for 2010. Fernando's alleged willingness to seek the vice presidency was announced by Local Water Utilities Administration chairman Prospero Pichay in a breakfast forum in Quezon City. Pichay is Lakas-Kampi-CMD's vice president for membership and recruitment. At the weekly Serye forum, Pichay said one of Fernando's aides called him up earlier in the day to inform him of the MMDA chairman's purported decision. "He [Bayani] said he is also interested to participate in the selection process for vice president," Pichay said. Fernando, along with Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, would be considered for the VP post, Pichay said. The party will also court award-winning actress and Batangas Vice-Governor Vilma Santos into being its vice presidential bet, Pichay said, adding that Teodoro's take might also be weighed in the party's choice. No plans yet But Fernando, in a phone interview with GMANews.TV, denied Pichay's claim. "Wala akong sinasabing ganun (I said no such thing)," he said. Fernando said his aides also couldn't have made the statement. When asked whether he has made up his mind about his next political step, Fernando said, "Nagpapahinga pa ko ng buhay ko (I am still taking a break)." Fernando had earlier said running for president as an independent candidate was one of his options if Lakas-Kampi-CMD does not choose him as its standard bearer. Last September 16, members of the party's national executive committee voted to pick Teodoro as its preferred presidential bet. The decision is still subject to ratification by a convention. Fernando is an original Lakas member while Teodoro came from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), a party founded by his uncle, tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. - GMANews.TV