TV host and former Optical Media Board chairman Edu Manzano yesterday surprised the Liberal Party by announcing that he would run as the vice president of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, the administration’s standard-bearer in the 2010 elections.
LP campaign manager Butch Abad told reporters the party was surprised by Manzano’s announcement because he had been in talks with the Liberals for a spot on their senatorial ticket.
Asked if he was prepared to go against the more seasoned politicians like Senators Mar Roxas and Loren Legarda and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, who beat him in the 2001 mayoral elections, Manzano said: “Who is really ever prepared? But I am determined to give this my best shot.”
The actor and television host was already in the LP’s senatorial slate, which would be announced this month, Abad said, despite the continued efforts from Lakas to win Manzano over to the ruling coalition.
Manzano’s announcement ended negotiations that went on for a month with officials of Lakas. US-born Manzano has been with Lakas since 2001.
Manzano said Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno ‘‘played a very big role’’ in convincing him to run for vice president and supported Teodoro all the way.
‘‘You may not be of the knowledge that the good Secretary [Puno] has been like a mentor to me, and when he told me ’talk to Gibo’ even before speaking to Secretary Teodoro, I had already expressed my respect for Secretary Teodoro and my belief that he possesses all the qualities that are necessary to move this country forward,” Manzano said.
He told reporters that he only finalized his decision on Thursday even though he and Puno had been in talks months ago.
Roxas, the LP vice presidential candidate, said he welcomed the choice of Manzano as Teodoro’s running mate.
“Best of luck to Edu in 2010. Welcome to national politics. He is a worthy opponent,” Roxas said.
“The geographical complementation of both candidates, Tarlac and Iloilo, will work to their great advantage,” presidential political adviser and Lakas-Kampi CMD secretary general Gabriel Claudio said.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri described Edu as a good choice.
