Known Estrada ally endorses Teodoro

MANILA, Philippines - Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim, one of the main allies of former President Joseph Estrada in Central Visayas, made a sudden turnaround and endorsed yesterday the presidential bid of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Lim introduced Teodoro as the next president of the country before thousands of supporters and constituents during a gathering in Tagbilaran City.

Teodoro, who is also chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), was in Bohol yesterday as part of the continuing bid to promote awareness in disaster response program of various agencies.

Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, Bohol Reps. Ed Chato, Boy Jala and Bob Cajes also witnessed Lim’s endorsement of Teodoro’s presidential bid.

“We’re in Bohol to link up all local groups with disaster response capability, including cooperatives, in line with our continuing nationwide disaster preparations,” said one of Teodoro’s staff.

Some 738 League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) members gathered at Manila Hotel for the league’s 2009 convention, likewise signed a manifesto endorsing Teodoro’s presidential bid.

The manifesto of support was signed by a majority of municipal mayors ahead of the league’s executive committee meeting on Nov. 5 to deliberate on the issue.

Former public works secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. announced yesterday that the political machinery for his presidential campaign is already in place to ensure his victory in the 2010 elections.

“There will be no turning back,” Ebdane told reporters during the weekly news forum Friday Balitaan at Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City.

He said the Lapiang Manggagawa, the oldest political party in the country which will be spearheading his campaign, is now in the process of selecting his running mate and also working out a possible coalition with other political parties.

Ebdane said his quest for the presidency is an offshoot of his desire to resolve poverty, which is the root cause of the problems in the country.

He said he decided to run so that he will not just be a passive observer but an active participant in determining the fate of the Filipino people.

“I am not a politician and the problem I am now facing is how to smile even if I’m angry,” Ebdane said. – With Perseus Echeminada, Reinir Padua