CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – "I want to be president of this country. I think I can do something great for God and for our people but is 2016 my time or is it 2022, 2028, or ever?"
Thus said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano in an interview on Mornings@ANC recently, where he categorically admitted he wants to be the President of the country.
It is, Cayetano said during the interview, just a matter of timing.
He disclosed that he already tapped the services of a political consultant and former advertising executive Greg Garcia for his presidential bid.
Cayetano claimed that polls from different parts of the country show he has a chance against other possible candidates in the 2016 presidential elections.
"Sino bang pumasok sa pulitika, barangay captain, kagawad, councilor, o mayor na ayaw sa isang araw maging presidente," said Cayetano.
He also clarified that he does not have any plan of running for vice-president before seeking the highest post in government.
"I've thought about it a lot and I've prayed about it a lot. I'd rather be senator or mayor than vice-president. Usually they go to vice-president as a stepping stone sa presidente. Ako, I believe you can use anything as a stepping stone kung talagang para sa iyo yun," said Cayetano.
When asked what is wrong with being vice president, he said: "Flat tire ka e. Ano bang dinadasal ng vice-president? Ayokong sabihin dito. Ayokong yun ang dasalin ko."
If Cayetano pushes through with his 2016 plans, he will be going up against incumbent Vice President Jejomar Binay who is already vocal about his own plans to go for the presidential post.
Aside from Cayetano, other rumored candidates for president are Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. and Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.