Cesar Montano in, Leyte Gov. Petilla out of Arroyo coalition

The "Team Unity" coalition of the administration on Friday named action star Cesar Montano to replace Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla who has decided to withdraw from the senatorial race, radio DZBB reported. Lakas-CMD stalwart and Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano confirmed in a television interview that Petilla had backed out and will seek re-election as governor of Leyte province instead. Petilla and Montano formalized the substitution at the Commission on Elections early Friday night. Radio station DZBB, meanwhile, reported that Petilla withdrew from the Senate race after his mother, Leyte First District Rep. Remedios Petilla, declined to run as governor. The Leyte governor earlier said he wants his mother to succeed him, but Mrs Petilla has decided to retire from politics this year. Durano said the Petillas have a strong following in Leyte and they have committed to continue serving their constituents. The administration’s coalition earlier said it will not replace Petilla in case he withdraws from the Senate race. “There were really two factors under our laws and since Governor Petilla is Lakas, [the party] must be the one to make the substitution and second the substitute must be [a party member]," Durano said. Durano said Montano’s being a Visayan was also a factor that convinced Lakas to tap the actor to replace Petilla. The governor was supposed to represent the Visayas region in the administration slate. Montano, who is a member of the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats, hails from Bohol. “Cesar Montano is from the Visayas and he can credibly take up the role of Governor Petilla in the Team Unity," he said. “Based on the respect he garnered in the Visayas as well as his support for the 10-point agenda of the government which is really the backbone of the party platform, Montano is very qualified to run for the Senate," he added. He said Montano’s being an actor was just a plus and not a major consideration in choosing him to be included in the slate. "Popularity was never the main concern in choosing our candidate. It was really credibility," he added. Montano, whose real name is Cesar Manhilot, began his career in the movies as a stuntman before playing major roles in several action movies. He also starred the TV sitcom "Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis" and portrayed the role of José Rizal, the Philippine National Hero in the film “José Rizal." Montano has won many acting awards, among them his internationally acclaimed Hollywood movie “The Great Raid," “Panaghoy sa Suba," “Muro Ami" and Bagong Buwan. - GMANews.TV