‘Bro. Eddie still in running’

Christian evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva denied yesterday reports that he is withdrawing his presidential candidacy and dismissed such "propaganda" as part of a ploy to diminish the momentum of his candidacy.

"That is impossible," Villanueva said of reports that he is withdrawing from the presidential race. "That is propaganda (meant) to diminish the momentum of my candidacy."

He said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has effectively dismissed the disqualification petition that was filed against him and that the poll body had assured him he will get the privileges granted by election laws, like being entitled to election watchers.

Villanueva, attending the oath-taking of his campaign organizers in a restaurant in Quezon City Friday night, said his campaign has gained momentum and a group of businessmen and wealthy families have pledged their support for him once the campaign period starts on Feb. 10.

He said some 70 Makati businessmen, led by investment banker Joe Orosa, vowed to support his candidacy during a recent meeting and some of the businessmen offered private planes which he could use for his campaign sorties in the provinces.

"They were so excited to help me and they shed tears because they want change in this country," Villanueva said.

He said he has inducted some 500 barangay coordinators, mostly leaders and members of Villanueva’s "Jesus Is Lord Movement," have already been inducted into the Bangon Pilipinas movement that is backing his candidacy.

He said he is banking on his coordinators to help push his candidacy because his group did not have billions to bankroll his campaign.

Villanueva said he has repeatedly assured his supporters that he will back out of the presidential race and that he will not abandon his pledge to bring back morality and righteousness to government.

At the same time, the evangelist scored politicians who have proven to be political turncoats in order to further their ambitions.

"In the past three weeks, we saw political butterflies but now they are like frogs. We do not know who among them still have principles. Manalo lang, gagawin lahat kahit kahihiyan (In their desire to win, they will do everything even if it is shameful)," he said.

He lamented that the field of presidential choices includes gambling and drug lords who have the machinery to win the election.