Manzano, Santos-Recto, and Recto

Woke up one day with news that former OMB Chairperson Edu Manzano is running for Vice-President under the administration’s Lakas-Kampi with Gilbert Tedoro as presidential candidate. Manzano was formerly the vice-mayor of Makati City but lost when he ran for mayor. Lately, he has been Chairman of the Optical Media Board, and host of at least 2 televsion shows. Manzano was also tagged as one of the leaders behind the Ako Mismo movement.

Ako Mismo, when launched as a television commercial, earned the interest of a lot of people since it seemed like a political campaign ad but the source or funding was only vaguely revealed to the public. Manzano, in an interview about Ako Mismo, denied that it was made as a prelude to his candidacy for any position. Manzano asserted that politicians were not allowed to join the TVC or the movement as to avoid doubts regarding the movement’s motivation.

Since the TVC’s launch, there hasn’t been any news of Manzano’s plans to re-enter politics. Curiously, however, Manzano’s game show, “Pilipinas, Game K N B?” stopped airing despite high ratings. This intrigued a lot of people, but there has been no hint of any political plans. Until November 13, when everyone woke up to the news that Manzano is running for Vice-President.

Before the announcement, various politicians were rumored to be asked to be Teodoro’s running mate. These names cropped up, after DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno dropped out of the race. Among those being tapped to be Teodoro’s running mate is fellow actor and imcubent senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. Revilla was formerly a local politician in Cavite, and also past Chairman of the Video Regulatory Board (now OMB). Revilla and Manzano has clashed multiple times in the past over Manzano’s performance as OMB Chairman. I wonder what Revilla has to say now that Manzano was chosen as Gibo’s running mate over him.

Another name that has long been rumored to run for Vice-President, for the administration party, is that of Manzano’s former wife and current Batangas Governor, Vilma Santos-Recto. But today, we wake up with shocking news once again. Governor Santos-Recto and her husband, former Senator and NEDA Chairman, Ralph Recto have jumped ship from Lakas-Kampi to the Liberal Party of Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas. It is said that Santos-Recto has been asked by Lakas-Kampi multiple times to run as VP but she has already repeatedly declined. And the plot thickens…

Santos-Recto is running for the position of Batangas Governor again, while Recto is running for Senator. Recto is a close friend of NP’s Manuel “Manny” Villar. They are in the same “Wednesday” Group with VP Noli de Castro, and Senators Joker Arroyo and Kiko Pangilinan. De Castro has also been tapped to be Teodoro’s VP but he has kept mum on the issue. Arroyo has also been quiet about his political plans for 2010, but he is currently aligned with Lakas-Kampi. Pangilinan, on the other hand, was formerly rumored to have been eye-ing the VP candidacy with Mar Roxas. But things have changed… Roxas has backed out of the presidential race, Aquino is now LP’s standard bearer with Roxas as VP. Pangilinan, it seems, will finish his second term as senator.

Recto, on the other hand, will run again as senator. He is included in LP’s senatorial slate, along with former Congressman Neric Acosta, former Senators Franklin Drilon and Serge Osmena, and Representatives Teofisto Guingona III and Risa Hontiveros, and General Danilo Lim. Wonder how Lakas-Kampi is handling this?

Imagine… Vilma Santos-Recto AND Sharon Cuneta, Pangilinan’s wife, PLUS Kris Aquino and her army of celebrity endorses campaigning for Noynoy, Mar, and their senatorial slate. I can imagine Villar, Gibo, and their teams throwing a hissy fit.

At kumusta naman si Chiz “Ako bilang ako” Escudero? Is there still hope for him in the presidential and vice-presidential elections? He was also being vaguely considered as Gibo Teodoro’s running mate. But now his options seem fewer and fewer with the deadline of filing of Certificates of Candidacy getting close.

This elections seems to be the LP’s to lose. But then again… impossible is just a word. LP still has a lot to prove, in terms of platform. And we’re in the Philippines, ya know.

One Response to “Manzano, Santos-Recto, and Recto”

1. TwistedNachos says:

   November 16, 2009 at 12:09 am

   I don’t think Chiz Escudero will have his space in the National top positions because he hasn’t proven anything yet. Even Cam Norte is noted as one of the poorest province in the country and to think Escudero became a congressman of this place for more than once. He’s just wasting his time, money and effort. Although he has always remain to be the teenager’s favorite because of his physical appearance, I don’t think he can govern such complicated country as the Philippines. So, what about bagong umaga?! Just sharing.