Noli still administration's bet in 2010

MEXICO, Pampanga , PHilippines  – Vice President Noli de Castro remains the administration’s top choice as standard-bearer in next year’s presidential elections, Malacañang said yesterday.

Speaking at the induction of officers of the 60-year-old Pampanga Press Club, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said here De Castro is likely to be anointed the administration’s presidential candidate in 2010.

“He has been leading the surveys, he has stood by the President through thick and thin, and he has proven himself (as housing czar of the administration),” he said.

However, Remonde said nothing is final yet in the choice of the administration’s presidential candidate.

“Of course, there’s Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro,” he said.

Remonde debunked an earlier statement of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri that the administration has dropped Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metro Manila Development Authority as the possible administration bet for president.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is also in the short list of administration presidentiables, although “he seems reluctant,” Remonde added.

Remonde said Chairman Ephraim Genuino of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has been “showing enthusiasm” for the presidency.

However, as of now, De Castro is “really the leading contender,” he added.

De Castro, who was guest of honor and speaker at the press club rites, declined to categorically declare his presidential ambition.

“What the President and I would like to do is to double our efforts so that we can finish our targets in the remaining 15 months in our terms,” he said.

He has refrained from making a categorical announcement of his plans in 2010 to avoid being “politicized,” De Castro said.