Emotional Ebdane backs out of presidential race
11/29/2009 | 03:19 PM
(Updated 5:51 p.m.) Instead of filing his certificate of candidacy and announcing his running mate as he earlier said he would do, former Public Works secretary Hermogenes Ebdane on Sunday surprised his supporters by declaring his withdrawal from the 2010 presidential race.
“After much reflection, I have decided to formally end my Presidential bid. I have come to this decision to spare my friends, supporters and my family from the agony and burden of joining a fight which we cannot win," an emotional Ebdane said in a press briefing at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City.
Ebdane cited lack of funds as the reason behind his decision. “I have realized that I cannot wage a decent presidential campaign without sufficient funds. Ugly as it may sound, lack of funds can unmake a viable president run."
Ebdane, who had the support of the Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka, had been scheduled to announce his vice presidential bet and then file his COC with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Instead, he said he would just go on vacation with his family first.
Last October, Ebdane quit his post at the Department of Public Ways and Highways (DPWH) to pursue his political plans. He did not seek the endorsement of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD, which is backing the presidential bid of former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Ebdane said he would not seek any position as he would focus on strengthening the party and expand its membership and service all over the country.
“It has been a privilege to have served you and our country for the last 43 years. Finally, I can take a vacation, and finally spend Christmas with my family," he said on a final note.
Ebdane also thanked the people who supported his presidential bid.- LG/KBK, GMANews.TV
“After much reflection, I have decided to formally end my Presidential bid. I have come to this decision to spare my friends, supporters and my family from the agony and burden of joining a fight which we cannot win," an emotional Ebdane said in a press briefing at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City.
Ebdane cited lack of funds as the reason behind his decision. “I have realized that I cannot wage a decent presidential campaign without sufficient funds. Ugly as it may sound, lack of funds can unmake a viable president run."
Ebdane, who had the support of the Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka, had been scheduled to announce his vice presidential bet and then file his COC with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Instead, he said he would just go on vacation with his family first.
Last October, Ebdane quit his post at the Department of Public Ways and Highways (DPWH) to pursue his political plans. He did not seek the endorsement of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD, which is backing the presidential bid of former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Ebdane said he would not seek any position as he would focus on strengthening the party and expand its membership and service all over the country.
“It has been a privilege to have served you and our country for the last 43 years. Finally, I can take a vacation, and finally spend Christmas with my family," he said on a final note.
Ebdane also thanked the people who supported his presidential bid.- LG/KBK, GMANews.TV
