MANILA - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando on Tuesday said loyalty to the party should be the biggest consideration in choosing the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer.
“From the very start, I am hoping that my party will choose me. First of all, I am a true Lakas party member. That can never be contested,” he said at a press conference in Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.
Fernando has been with Lakas-CMD since 1992, while his chief rival, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro joined only last July.
“Being a loyal party member—that is the most important condition to be considered for the party’s standard-bearer,” Fernando said. “This decision will reveal the true character of our party."
Survey ratings
Compared to Teodoro, Fernando said he has been getting higher ratings in internal surveys. If the party chooses him over Teodoro, given the ruling party's machinery, he said his 4% rating in these internal surveys would quintuple to 20%.
“Umaasa ako na sa pagkakataong ito maitataguyod ko ng higit pa ang partidong ito sa tagumpay (I am hoping that I could lead our party to victory),” he said.
“Sa kabilang banda, iyong aking katunggali sa pagpipilian na ito ay mayroon lang 0.2% sa nasabing mga survey na iyan. Limang doblehin mo man ang maidadagdag ng partido, aabot lang iyan ng isang pursyento (On the other hand, my opponent to be the party’s presidential bet only garnered 0.2% in the said survey. Even if you multiply that 5 times, it will only amount to one percent),” Fernando said.
He attributed his low ratings in the surveys of reputable polling outfits to people not seeing see him as pro-poor because of his work and policies as MMDA chair.
He also defended the way he governs, saying these are his answers to the country’s problems.
Fernando said the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive committee would meet on Wednesday to discuss who they will pick as the party’s presidential bet.
“The congress, leagues of governors, councilors and other leagues—must have no say as to who the party will pick,” he said, referring to the support of over 70 Lakas-Kampi-CMD congressmen for Teodoro’s bid to be the party’s standard bearer.
Fernando also argued that it is not only congressmen who will be choosing the ruling party's presidential candidate.
MMDA Chair
Fernando has been MMDA chairman since June 2002. Among his controversial measures have been the clearing of sidewalks and major roads of illegal vendors, structures, and illegally-parked vehicles.
According to Newsbreak research, Fernando violated MMDA Resolution 04-004 for displaying his tarpaulins without the consent of local government units.
As Marikina mayor from 1992 to 2001, he headed cleanliness and beautification projects that earned him leadership awards and awards for the city. Those projects are currently being continued by his wife, Marikina Mayor Lourdes Fernando.
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