The camp of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. has declined to comment on the announcement made by Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. that he, too, is interested in running for president in next year’s elections.
Ebdane said he is likely to run for president despite the earlier endorsement of Teodoro as the administration standard-bearer by leaders of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
The former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said he is presenting himself to the people as an alternative to other candidates, including, aside from Teodoro, Senators Manuel Villar Jr., Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and even former President Joseph Estrada.
He said he believes he has the capability to tackle the country’s problems head-on.
Teodoro, also chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), could not be reached for comment as he was supervising search and rescue operations due to widespread flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces caused by typhoon “Ondoy.”
“Saka na muna yang pulitika at malaki ang problema natin ngayon (Politics will have to wait as we have bigger problems right now),” a senior defense official close to Teodoro said when asked to comment on Ebdane’s political plans.
In a radio interview last Thursday, Ebdane said several people have been urging him to enter the presidential race.
Surprised
Ebdane’s announcement of his intention to run for president has reportedly taken the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD by surprise.
“To be honest, I was taken a little bit by surprise. We never talked about this. He never mentioned it to us,” Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary general and presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio said in a telephone interview.
As a member of the Cabinet, Claudio said Ebdane could have said something about his plans at any time to him or to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who is the interim president of Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
While Ebdane is not a member of the party, Claudio said Ebdane could always be considered a nominee to the different elective posts available in next year’s polls, being a member of the official family of the President.
“He’s a valued member of the Cabinet. We acknowledge and appreciate his accomplishments as secretary of Public Works,” Claudio said.
Claudio said that technically, Teodoro’s nomination by the national executive committee would still have to be confirmed by the party membership during the national convention to be held later this year.
This means that Ebdane, if he wishes to take part in the selection process, may still have a chance.
“It’s something that will be tossed back to the national executive committee,” Claudio said.
However, Claudio said he was not optimistic about the chances of Ebdane or any aspirant other than Teodoro.
He said the national executive committee’s choice of Teodoro would carry a lot of weight during the national convention where the nomination would be ratified.
Claudio added that Ebdane was being considered as a possible candidate of the party for the senatorial race along with several other members of the Cabinet.
Signs
Ads showing Ebdane supervising road projects and encouraging Filipinos to consider him for 2010 have appeared recently in newspapers.
Apart from the newspaper ads, there are now orange t-shirts and streamers in and around the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) office openly displaying support for Ebdane.
A number of DPWH employees were seen wearing orange shirts emblazoned with “We want a new face in 2010!” in front and the words “KALSADA ang daan sa kaunlaran (road to progress)” on the back. There was no mention of the name of Ebdane in the slogans.
DPWH spokesman and Undersecretary for Luzon Romeo Momo said more “voluntary” paid newspaper advertisements are expected in the coming days showcasing Ebdane’s achievements.
“The paid advertisement (is a sign) that there is a clamor from (various) sectors. It is a result of the many developments in the country that Secretary Ebdane has accomplished. Many local government units said that their needs were given attention under the leadership of Secretary Jun,” Momo said.
Meanwhile, Presidential Management Staff Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Ebdane’s track record would make him capable of handling a higher and more sensitive position.
Ebdane, he said, had served as defense secretary, national security adviser and acting secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“I think from his previous positions, you will have a sense of how he could run (the country) and how much competence he has gained over the years. If indeed there is a plan, it’s an open field,” Esperon said.
But Esperon, a Lakas-Kampi-CMD member, declined to say if he is supporting Ebdane.
Aside from Ebdane, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando has yet to drop his plans to seek the presidency.
