Lakas forges Gibo-Edu tandem

MANILA, Philippines – Long-trunning questions on who will be the running mate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro were finally answered.

The answer: actor and television host Edu Manzano.

The announcement was made this morning by Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice chairman and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

"I would like to introduce to all of you this morning someone whom Secretary Teodoro has accepted to be his runningmate and (a) person who has accepted the challenge of standing beside Secretary Teodoro in the quest to become the next president of the Republic of the Philippines and him the next vice president of the Republic of the Philippines. No other than former OMB chairman Edu Manzano," Puno told reporters at a press conference at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Manzano, 54, was among four personalities being considered by the party to be Teodoro’s running mate. The others were Sen. Loren Legarda, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and senator-actor Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr.

Legarda, however, already announced earlier that she is running as vice president under the Nationalist People’s Coalition — her original party.

Revilla, for his part, publicly said he might not be prepared to seek higher office.