90 solons endorse Guingona for veep

Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona was endorsed by 90 congressmen to President Arroyo yesterday to be the country’s next vice president.

House Assistant Majority Leader Prospero Pichay Jr. told reporters Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. signed the resolution, along with the other prosecutors in the impeachment trial of ousted President Joseph Estrada.

"The political reality is that Senator Guingona, with his solid support from the ruling party, should have smooth sailing upon his nomination by the President," Belmonte said. "Guingona as vice president will bring the message of this administration of its concern for Mindanao as well as the Visayas."

The congressmen said Guingona, who hails from Mindanao and also has roots in Western Visayas, will be the answer to the "loud clamor" of Mindanao for representation in the highest hierarchy of the national leadership.

"Guingona has always steadfastly fought for the interests of the nation and he showed exemplary courage as the very first opposition leader to expose the jueteng scandal in the Senate," the congressmen said.

On the other hand, leaders of the Cordillera and Muslim Mindanao have urged Mrs. Arroyo to appoint Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. as her vice president.

Members of the Cordillera Regional Assembly (CRA) told reporters yesterday Pimentel, who is a "very competent legislator," will be an asset to the Arroyo administration.

Kawani, CRA titular head, told reporters yesterday they acknowledged Pimentel’s efforts in the fulfillment of the Cordillera people’s aspirations for genuine autonomy.

"The Cordillera Regional Assembly believes that among the aspirants for vice president, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel stands out and he deserves serious consideration," he said.

Kawani said the resolution was signed by CRA acting presiding officer Willie Binay-An, secretary Florencio Kigis, and chairman Sergio Kawi.

At the same time, the Muslim National Movement for Peace and Development, passed a resolution supporting Pimentel’s appointment as vice president.

"The next vice president of the republic should be one who is politically experienced, educationally qualified, bureaucratically oriented and most of all, socially acceptable and with unquestionable integrity and indisputable popularity," read the resolution.

Former Lakas Rep. Simeon Valdez, an uncle of former President Fidel Ramos and provincial chairman of Lakas-NUCD-UMDP in Ilocos Norte, told reporters yesterday Pimentel traces his maternal roots to Batac, Ilocos Norte that even if he is identified as a Mindanaoan, Pimentel is an adopted son of Ilocos Norte.

"Pimentel therefore represents not only Mindanao, but also Northern Luzon," he said. "We are confident that you will find in Senate President Pimentel a hardworking statesman who will realize the goals of your administration," read Valdez’s letter of endorsement to Mrs. Arroyo.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Sen. Franklin Drilon as vice president has been endorsed by educators, businessmen, lawyers, fishermen, women’s groups, and Muslim organizations.

The UP Open University cited Drilon’s extensive experience in the executive and legislative branches as well as his integrity, competence and leadership.

In a separate letter to the President, the Federation of Business and Professional Women said: "Senator Drilon’s integrity and credibility, his cool and peaceful nature, his honesty and basic beliefs in democracy and truth will make him the best teammate for your Excellency."

Prominent leaders of the Bar added their voice to the growing clamor for the appointment of Drilon as the country’s next vice president.

However, Sen. Gregorio Honasan proposed yesterday the election of the vice president in the May elections to remove the burden from Mrs. Arroyo.

"Since the election is forthcoming, whoever becomes the next vice president shall have his own mandate from the people," he said. "So let us allow the electorate to decide whom they want to be the next vice president."

Honasan said Mrs. Arroyo’s apparent reluctance to appoint the vice president may be because her choice could further divide the country.

At Malacañang, Presidential Spokesman Renato Corona told reporters it would be impossible to have the vice president elected because the Constitution requires the president to choose the vice president from among members of Congress.

"The procedure of filling it up is also covered by the Constitution so you cannot just say let’s call for an election in May for vice president without having to amend the Constitution," he said.

Mrs. Arroyo told reporters yesterday the appointment of the vice president could take time because the Constitution gives her 60 days to name her choice. – Perseus Echeminada, Liberty Dones