Ruling Party Needs VP Candidate, Puno Backs Out

Philippines — Lakas-Kampi CMD, the country’s ruling party, is now looking for a new vice-presidential candidate after the withdrawal of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno from the race.

Puno announced this two days after Former President Estrada’s declaration of his presidential bid.

Puno was Estrada’s campaign manager in the 1998 elections. He has also campaigned for Fidel Ramos in 1992 and Gloria Arroyo in 2004, all winning the highest elective position in the country.

He was supposed to be paired with the party’s presidential candidate Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Several individuals are rumored to have taken Puno’s vacated position. Included were Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Batangas Governor and Actress Vilma Santos-Recto and Senator Loren Legarda.

Legarda, who announced her VP bid, immediately said that she remains a part of the opposition and will run under her party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Recto stated that she will not run for VP but rumors are circulating that negotiations are still taking place.

Other personalities who confirmed their vice presidential bid were Senator Mar Roxas under the Liberal Party and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay under the merged United Opposition-Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino party.

Lakas-Kampi CMD members Metro Manila Development Authority Bayani Fernando and Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Jun Ebdane who have announced their plans to run for president in 2010 have not commented on Puno’s withdrawal.

However, Fernando insisted his plans to run for president even as an independent candidate if the party will not choose him as the standard bearer.