A majority of Lakas-Kampi-CMD members have expressed their desire to select a standard bearer who is intelligent, unafraid to face the problems and has a clear program of action for the country.
“The next president must be able to carry out a new kind of governance for the country. One whose administration can deliver absolute services, economic programs, social justice and peace and order,” Lakas-Kampi senior Deputy secretary general and Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis said.
“The standard bearer must have a good track record of public service and free of corruption allegations. He must be decisive in his actions and words,” Solis said.
“This is why a majority of Lakas-Kampi-CMD members favor Defense Secretary Gilbert (Gibo) Teodoro to be the party’s standard bearer. He has presented a clear program for the country and the qualities the party is looking for in its presidential candidate,” he added. “The defense secretary has also made clear his intention to seek the party’s nomination and serve the country as its next president.”
During early surveys on presidentiables, Teodoro did not fare well because people did not know his true qualities, but has since made considerable gains, said Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano.
“We must take into consideration that Secretary Teodoro declared his intention for the presidency only last February (2009). So unlike other (presidential) aspirants who declared their plans or started campaigning early, even as they have continuously denied their goals,” Albano said. “To this day, Secretary Teodoro has just pursued his functions as the country’s defense secretary.”
On Friday, Teodoro is set to take his oath as member of the ruling party Lakas-Kampi-CMD, where he has long been touted as a frontrunner for the party’s presidential nomination.
Lakas-Kampi-CMD is a merger of the country’s two biggest political organizations. This combined force accounts for no less than 70% of all local government officials: 145 out of 267 congressmen (of which 51 are party list representatives), 50 of 80 governors, 51 of 80 vice governors, 85 of 120 city mayors, and 1,112 out of 1,507 municipal mayors. The new party will, therefore, be the instrument and vehicle for electing the best, most qualified and the worthiest leaders of our country, Albano said, adding that Teodoro “is a leader who will keep on track with the Lakas-Kampi-CMD objective to rally behind efforts to create lasting opportunities and foundation for peace, economic fulfillment and the promotion of human dignity.”
Teodoro has said that if given the opportunity to be the country’s president, among the first things he would address is structural change to seek meaningful political, economic and social reforms. He will urge Congress to call for a constitutional convention where concerns can be discussed openly and freely.
His administration will simultaneously pursue economic measures that will raise needed revenues and not rely on loans to enable continuing reforms, and work on lasting peace.
0 Comments
Oldest