Friday, June 06, 2008 Fernando says he won't run for senator
METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando said he is not interested in running for senator in the 2010 national elections despite being picked by his political party as one its possible senatorial bets.
He said he does not want to be a legislator since he wants to serve in the executive branch of government and nowhere else.
"I am the only one in the party who signified the intention to run. I don't think there is any need to scout elsewhere," said Fernando, who publicly declared his desire to run for president two years from now, last January under the Lakas-CMD (Christian Muslim Democrats) party.
Fernando is the Lakas chairman for the National Capital Region (NCR).
Metro Manila's so-called "pink panther" was named as one of those being considered for the administration's senatorial bets for 2010.
Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is also being considered in the senatorial slate of the party.
"As I've said before, my training has always been an executive and not as legislator," Fernando stressed.
The MMDA chief, who is known for his very disciplined and no-nonsense implementation of rules and laws governing traffic, flood control, and garbage in Metro Manila, stands firm in his intention to run for president.
Prior to his appointment as MMDA chairman in 2002, Fernando served as mayor of Marikina for nine years.
Although already being accused of early campaigning because of huge tarpaulins bearing his picture in various areas in the metropolis, Fernando has been going around the country for the past few months for various activities, visits, and speaking engagements.
He refers to his trips outside of Metro Manila as part of "testing the waters" which means observing how people accept or welcome him.
And though perceived to be anti-poor because of the MMDA's too strict attitude towards illegal vendors, illegal settlers, and undisciplined drivers, Fernando believed that the "thinking poor" who understands how he is simply implementing the law.
Like Fernando, United Opposition (UNO) president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said he would rather run for president than for senator in the 2010 elections.
This as Binay admitted that running a government was his turf than creating laws due to the experiences and trainings he had as a local chief executive of Makati City.
"After all, as mayor, I was trained to run and manage the City Government, not to make laws," he said.
When asked if what will he do should he end up as the country's Chief Executive in 2010, Binay said he would replicate his programs and policies in Makati City.
"We did it in Makati City, we could do it elsewhere in the country, not just our Yellow Card (health program) but our programs on education and social services," he added.
Binay is known for implementing various health programs such as the Yellow Card, which grants as much as 80 to 90 percent discounts to residents who seek treatment at the Ospital ng Makati.
The mayor likewise disclosed that the opposition is set to meet next week to choose their bet in the 2010 presidential elections.
He, however, remained mum on the question as to who were the possible names being floated as the top contenders in the presidential or senatorial race.
"The opposition will still have to discuss those who deserve to run. I won't name any as of now, because if the names get published they will become candidates as early as now," he said.
But Binay hoped that pardoned President Joseph Estrada could grace the opposition meeting. (AH/Sunnex)
