INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

(UPDATE) Vilma Santos declares bid for Batangas governor

Southern Luzon Bureau

Marlon Alexander Luistro

LIPA CITY -- After a week of prayer and reflection, Mayor Vilma Santos finally confirmed on Monday what people had expected her to say all along: That she will run for governor in the vote-rich Batangas province, representing the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.

Ending weeks of intrigues and family in-fighting, Santos said, “I am a gracious lady but don’t push me too hard. But I have been pushed too hard. Now I am accepting the challenge… I am ready. I will file my candidacy for the governorship of the province of Batangas.”

Santos will run against Governor Armand Sanchez who had defected to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s party, Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Partner of the Free Filipinos, Kampi) and her brother-in-law, Vice Governor Ricky Recto.

Lakas and Kampi are allies in the administration coalition of President Arroyo, who is the titular head of Lakas and the head of Kampi. However, the two parties have reportedly been feuding at the local level.

“Tinatanaw ko pong malaking utang na loob sa mga taong nagtiwala sa akin. Sila po ay tumaya and I thank them for that. Hindi po lahat ng tao ay nabibigyan ng ganitong tiwala. [I am grateful to the people who have placed their trust in me. They have committed themselves and I thank them for that. Not everyone has been given that kind of trust]. I feel extremely blessed and I thank God for this,” Santos said to the cheers of her supporters in Lipa City.

Santos made an announcement before Vice President Noli de Castro, Senator Joker Arroyo, husband and Senator Ralph Recto, former justice secretary Hernando Perez and Santos’ probable running mate, Edwin Ermita, son of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

“Handa ko pong itaya ang aking reputasyon at kredibilidad dahil wala po akong hangaring masama. [I am ready to stake my reputation and credibility because I have no bad motive] Win or lose, I know my conscience is clear,” she said.

Santos thanked Senator Recto for standing by her and for bearing some of the attacks. “Thank you for staying by me. Alam ko sa iyo ibinibintang ang mga desisyong ginagawa ko [I know you are being blamed for the decisions I have made]. I will stand by you because you are my family,” Santos said.

The actress-turned-politician said her decision was her own. “Wala pong taong kayang magmanipulate sa akin [No one can manipulate me],” she said.

Santos said she was running to serve Batangas and not to engage in politics. “Hindi salita at yabang ang magaayos ng isang bahay kundi pakikipagtulungan [Words or boasting could not fix a home but cooperation can], she said.

Santos made the announcement after awarding certificates of land ownerships to railway residents in the city.

The program started at past 3 p.m. at the Lipa City Youth and Cultural Center which was packed with a crowd estimated at 5,000.

Resident beneficiaries from Barangay (villages) Bugtong na Pulo and Mataas na Lupa will be given Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) in line with the city government's “Villa sa Riles” land acquisition program.

Most of those in the audience come from 10 barangay in the city, who are occupying land of the old Philippine National Railways.

De Castro drew cheers and applause from the audience when he hinted about Santos’ plans. “There are many people here, parang gusto kong lumabang governor ng Batangas [it looks like I want to run for governor of Batangas],” he said.

Bugtong na Pulo Barangay Captain Raul Monteal added in his speech that Mayor Vi promised the land beneficiaries that she would pursue the “Villa sa Riles” project “once she becomes Batangas governor.”

Santos thanked Ronel del Rio, head of the urban poor department of Lipa City when she distributed certificates of land ownership awards to settlers along old railway tracks turned over by the Philippine National Railway to Lipa City.

“Hindi na dapat may squatter sa riles. Dapat may kabuhayan sa riles [There should no longer be squatters along the tracks but livelihood],” she said.

Originally posted at 04:07 pm

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