Bayani: Talks ongoing with many prospective VP bets
11/22/2009 | 09:27 AM
Despite leaving the administration party, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando on Sunday claimed he is still talking with many prospective running mates.
But, in a radio interview, he said there was still “nothing interesting" to report about the talks, which are still ongoing.
“Maraming pakikipag-usap, iba’t ibang source sa ibang kandidato. (Pero) wala pang maihahayag ngayon, wala pang interesting na bagay (Talks are ongoing with camps of other candidates. But I have nothing interesting to report yet)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He declined to confirm or deny reports that Sen. Francis Escudero is among the supposed prospective running mates.
Escudero had left the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and is reportedly keen on sliding to vice president.
Fernando, however, made clear he will not run for any lower position than president.
“Noon pa, ako ay interesado lang sa pagkapangulo. Di ko maitutulak ang aking advocacy sa ibang position (From the beginning I have been interested only in the presidency. I cannot pursue my advocacy from a lower post)," he said.
“Pag ‘di tayo maging pangulo napakahirap (It will be hard to pursue my advocacy if I am become less than the president)," he added.
Earlier, Fernando left the administration’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD after it selected then Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. – a transferee from the NPC – as standard bearer for 2010.
Fernando lamented that no one spoke to him, not even President Arroyo. He said he is no longer interested in a party that does not value loyalty.
“There is no more reason to stay in a political party from which one cannot expect anything," he said.
Meanwhile, Fernando said he is in favor of an insider replacing him should he quit the MMDA top post to pursue his plans for 2010.
However, he did not name who he may recommend to replace him, even as Malacañang earlier said it has lined up replacements for officials who will run in 2010.
“Walang masyadong panahon (There is not much time left)," Fernando said, referring to the time his replacement will have to learn the ropes of the job. - GMANews.TV
But, in a radio interview, he said there was still “nothing interesting" to report about the talks, which are still ongoing.
“Maraming pakikipag-usap, iba’t ibang source sa ibang kandidato. (Pero) wala pang maihahayag ngayon, wala pang interesting na bagay (Talks are ongoing with camps of other candidates. But I have nothing interesting to report yet)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He declined to confirm or deny reports that Sen. Francis Escudero is among the supposed prospective running mates.
Escudero had left the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and is reportedly keen on sliding to vice president.
Fernando, however, made clear he will not run for any lower position than president.
“Noon pa, ako ay interesado lang sa pagkapangulo. Di ko maitutulak ang aking advocacy sa ibang position (From the beginning I have been interested only in the presidency. I cannot pursue my advocacy from a lower post)," he said.
“Pag ‘di tayo maging pangulo napakahirap (It will be hard to pursue my advocacy if I am become less than the president)," he added.
Earlier, Fernando left the administration’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD after it selected then Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. – a transferee from the NPC – as standard bearer for 2010.
Fernando lamented that no one spoke to him, not even President Arroyo. He said he is no longer interested in a party that does not value loyalty.
“There is no more reason to stay in a political party from which one cannot expect anything," he said.
Meanwhile, Fernando said he is in favor of an insider replacing him should he quit the MMDA top post to pursue his plans for 2010.
However, he did not name who he may recommend to replace him, even as Malacañang earlier said it has lined up replacements for officials who will run in 2010.
“Walang masyadong panahon (There is not much time left)," Fernando said, referring to the time his replacement will have to learn the ropes of the job. - GMANews.TV
