Villar, Kiko to run as independents but...

Ending week-long speculations that they will be directly under the opposition, senators Manuel Villlar Jr. and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said Sunday they will run as independent candidates in the May 14 elections. "After much introspection and consultation with the people...I decided to run as an independent candidate in my bid for reelection as a senator. I believe that my running as an independent is best and fair to everyone concerned," Villar of the Nacionalista party, told reporters. "I place the future of my political life in the hands of our people and trust that they will come out and support worthy candidates. This is a leap of faith in our people. It is the people in the numbers who will either embrace my candidacy or reject it," said Pangilinan of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino- Drilon wing. While running as independent candidates, Villar and Pangilinan said they will be open to adoption by political parties. They will not however be obliged to join the campaign sorties of the parties that will adopt them. Villar said he will make full use of the mass media to solicit votes. “ Ang kampanya ngayon hindi na uso ang grupo-grupo. Meron na ngayong mass media na malayo na ang nararating, 'yan ang magiging malaking pagbabago," Villar said. Pangilinan for his part said that while they are open to adoption, it would be much easier for them to go around the country as independent candidates. "We have no problem being adopted by any group or party. We have not closed our doors...Magulo naman talaga ang linyahan ngayon. Both sides nahihirapang makabuo," said Villar. Villar also confirmed reports that he was able to talk to former President Estrada on Saturday. He said he agreed to be adopted by Estrada's United Opposition (UNO) coalition. Asked if he shares the positions of senators Ralph Recto and Joker Arroyo of not joining UNO because it failed to present alternative programs, Pangilinan said: “I have no problem in the future working with the opposition. I also don't have a problem uniting with the administration on issues and decisions that would be for the good of the country." - with reports from Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV