Meet Your Candidates: Gordon, Roxas vie for Puno as running mate
Mike Banos
July 15, 2009
Two of the country´s senators who have declared their intention to run for the presidency in 2010 have both cited their willingness to have Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno as their vice presidential running mate.
Senator Richard Gordon said last week that if his plans to run for president push through, Puno would make a good vice president for his ticket.
"We are good friends; I know him personally and he is very much qualified," said Gordon. However, the solon stressed he has not yet decided with finality on his future political plans.
Gordon said anyone partnering with Puno in next year´s polls would benefit immensely from the latter´s familiarity with local officials and the pervading issues that would influence the electorate´s mind-set come election time.
"He knows almost all the local officials down to the barangay level and everybody knows his political acumen," Gordon noted. Puno has been credited for various reforms at the DILG perceived to have benefited the country´s local executives and those leaving in far-flung areas of the country.
Gordon´s statement follows Sen. Mar Roxas earlier declaration he would welcome Puno as a running mate. Roxas, head of a Liberal Party faction, has also declared his intention to run for the presidency.
Roxas personally included Puno in a list of prospective running mates he gave to Senate reporters. Earlier, Roxas also considered Sen. Panfilo Lacson as a running mate following the latter´s declaration he was quitting the presidential race due to lack of funds.
So far, Puno is the only candidate to declare his intention to seek the country´s second highest elected post under the administration party, a move which has drawn favorable responses from both the administration and opposition blocs.
Sec. Gabriel Claudio, presidential adviser on political affairs and Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwart, said Puno´s extensive political experience would continue to play a key role in the political campaign of the administration party next year despite his declaration as a candidate.
Puno is widely acknowledged to be a key figure in the successful bid for the presidency of former Presidents Fidel Ramos in 1992, Joseph Estrada in 1998 and Gloria Arroyo in 2004.
Senate Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada cautioned that "He (Puno) is a formidable opponent," and would be hard to beat at the polls.
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Senator Richard Gordon said last week that if his plans to run for president push through, Puno would make a good vice president for his ticket.
"We are good friends; I know him personally and he is very much qualified," said Gordon. However, the solon stressed he has not yet decided with finality on his future political plans.
Gordon said anyone partnering with Puno in next year´s polls would benefit immensely from the latter´s familiarity with local officials and the pervading issues that would influence the electorate´s mind-set come election time.
"He knows almost all the local officials down to the barangay level and everybody knows his political acumen," Gordon noted. Puno has been credited for various reforms at the DILG perceived to have benefited the country´s local executives and those leaving in far-flung areas of the country.
Gordon´s statement follows Sen. Mar Roxas earlier declaration he would welcome Puno as a running mate. Roxas, head of a Liberal Party faction, has also declared his intention to run for the presidency.
Roxas personally included Puno in a list of prospective running mates he gave to Senate reporters. Earlier, Roxas also considered Sen. Panfilo Lacson as a running mate following the latter´s declaration he was quitting the presidential race due to lack of funds.
So far, Puno is the only candidate to declare his intention to seek the country´s second highest elected post under the administration party, a move which has drawn favorable responses from both the administration and opposition blocs.
Sec. Gabriel Claudio, presidential adviser on political affairs and Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwart, said Puno´s extensive political experience would continue to play a key role in the political campaign of the administration party next year despite his declaration as a candidate.
Puno is widely acknowledged to be a key figure in the successful bid for the presidency of former Presidents Fidel Ramos in 1992, Joseph Estrada in 1998 and Gloria Arroyo in 2004.
Senate Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada cautioned that "He (Puno) is a formidable opponent," and would be hard to beat at the polls.
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