Bayani Fernando for President

MMDA chief wants to be president too

By DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Posted date: January 04, 2008

MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando has thrown his hat in the increasingly crowded ring of presidential aspirants.

“You can’t be too coy about this,” said the official. “You have to let people know what you want.”

“Yes, I want to run,” he said.

But while Fernando was prepared to assert his desire to join the presidential race in 2010, he said he was leaving it to his party mates to choose their standard-bearer.

“It’s not the individual who will decide. It’s a decision to be made by the party,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “It’s the party choosing the man, not the man creating the party.”

Fernando said he was one of two members of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats being considered as prospective candidates, the other being Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

“Yes,” Fernando replied when asked if he believed that he was the best candidate from Lakas. “I have the necessary background.”

Although Lakas has yet to form guidelines for the selection of its candidate, Fernando said he has started meeting with some party leaders to get their support.

“I have to sell myself, and tell them what I’ve been doing in public service,” Fernando added. “Also, I have to prove to them my loyalty.”

He said it was to his advantage that he was an executive official since the presidency was an administrative position.

Fernando said he enjoyed a 98% awareness rating among Filipinos in 2004 based on opinion surveys, a big factor in terms of “winnability.”

Fernando said the public would be naturally curious about the presidential candidates and since he was considering running would take steps to get to know him.

Fernando said he was also unconcerned about the possibility of a face-off with United Opposition President and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, with whom he has had a long history of disputes.

Binay is among the opposition figures being considered to carry the torch for the party in 2010.

“Well, maybe the election would be one way so our conflict can be put to a test,” Fernando said.