Teodoro bent on becoming President: ‘Only God can stop me from running’

from Business Mirror

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22684:teodoro-bent-on-becoming-president-only-god-can-stop-me-from-running&catid=26:nation&Itemid=63

LAKAS-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro said he will persevere to the end to realize his dream of becoming the country’s next President.

“Only God can stop me from running. He could do that by making me sick or something else,” Teodoro said in a television interview.

And when asked by television anchorman Arnold Clavio on whether some groups have already approached him to withdraw his candidacy, Teodoro replied in the negative.

“No one has yet approached me about that [withdrawal from the presidential race] and I will not be the one to entertain such matter,” Teodoro stressed.

He also pledged to fight to the very end for his legions of supporters who have maintained their trust and faith in his candidacy.

In the same vein, the former defense secretary added that he is content with the support being provided by his party, stating that he expects it to increase exponentially in the coming days.

In the same interview, Teodoro’s running mate Edu Manzano also vowed to carry on his campaign until the “final bell,” as he belied talks that he is now pulling himself out of the vice-presidential race.

“I fight to win and I will carry on until the final bell regardless of the difficulties involved,” the former Optical Media Board chairman stressed.

At the same time, Manzano said he was puzzled on how the media
managed to get hold of his funding predicament, adding that the matter was supposed to be resolved in a meeting among senior party members.

Aurelio “Reli” German, Manzano’s campaign manager, had earlier announced his resentment on the party’s alleged failure to give Manzano the “full support” it promised before the start of the campaign period.

German’s allegation had been brushed aside by the Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwarts.


Protect the people of Makati

THE camp of Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, who is running for mayor, stressed on Sunday that it respects the people’s political beliefs, and the actions of Mercado throughout his years as a city official show that he listens to the wishes of city residents even if they oppose him.

“Even those who don’t like the vice mayor will attest that it is not in his nature to harass people. In fact, his entire political career was built on winning over people who disagree with him. That has always been his philosophy,” said Mercado’s spokesman and lawyer, Chito Salud, in dismissing reports that campaign workers of his closest opponent were prevented from posting campaign materials.

“On the other hand, Makati residents know who has repeatedly done such things in the past and who is inclined to prevent people from expressing their political preferences,” Salud said.

In fact, the lawyer said, tricycle drivers in the Second District have been accosted by City Hall traffic enforcers for “even wearing old campaign T-shirts bearing the name of Mercado.”

“The Second District is our turf, but tricycle drivers there are being told that they will be cited for traffic violations if they wear pro-Mercado T-shirts or have the vice mayor’s old campaign stickers on their vehicles. Alam naman ng tao kung sino ang may ugaling ganoon [The people know who has that kind of attitude],” Salud said.

At the same time, Salud urged Mercado’s supporters to continue following the authorities despite the harassment. “Sumunod na lang po kayo sa kanila. Mahirap na, baka saktan pa nila kayo [Just follow their orders or they might hurt you],” he said, adding that he is heading a legal team that will help protect Mercado supporters from physical harm.

Salud also appealed to City Hall employees to take it easy on ordinary residents and insulate them from political harassment.

“Naiintindihan namin ang sitwasyon ng mga taga-City Hall. Huwag lang sana sila mananakit. Pare-pareho naman tayong taga-Makati at may eleksiyon naman. At huwag silang mag-alala para sa kanilang mga trabaho. Pagkatapos ng eleksiyon, makikita nila na hindi nagbabago ang ugali ni Vice,” he said. Rene Acosta, Paul Atienza and Jojo Perez