Guingona mulling whether to join FPJ circle of advisers

Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. said he may serve as an adviser of Fernando Poe Jr., confirming news reports that he had talks with the opposition presidential contender.

Some congressmen belonging to the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, which party Guingona used to head as president, however doubt that he would cross over.

Malacañang refused to comment. "For whatever it’s worth, we’d like to say that the Vice President will always be within his prerogative whatever his decision is on this regard," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye told reporters.

Guingona said he would think about the offer. "We do not have any formal arrangement or agreement for me to act in any advisory capacity."

Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Poe’s campaign manager, earlier disclosed that the political neophyte had asked Guingona to serve as an adviser. "Vice President Guingona will always be an asset to the government because of his experience in government service. That is one of the factors why FPJ wants to get him as one of his advisers," he said.

Poe’s camp is trying to arrange further talks with Guingona, Sotto said.

Poe sought him out last December for advice on "various national issues, including the need to unite the country and the importance of good governance," Guingona said.

"I am convinced that he is a good and honest man who is fairly gifted with native intelligence," he said when asked about his impression of Poe, seen as President Arroyo’s closest contender in the May 10 presidential race.

"I do not know yet if he is a fast learner, but being an actor, one cannot just appear to play the part but must study and live it. When it comes to being president, it will (not) be acting anymore," he said.

"Character is very vital for anyone who would lead a nation. Sincerity and honesty are indispensable. While experience in the job is a good norm, it can be a plus or a minus. If one’s record in office is bad, what good is experience?"

If he agrees to become Poe’s adviser, Guingona said he would have to resign from Bangon! (Rise!), a non-partisan group advocating reforms.

Commenting on Poe’s offer, some Lakas lawmakers suspected it could be a ploy to sow division within the Arroyo administration’s ranks.

Assistant Majority Leader Allan Peter Cayetano, Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles, Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella and Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco believe that Guingona would remain with the administration.

"A principled man, Vice President Guingona knows accepting the offer will compromise his position in the administration," Syjuco said.

It would be "unstatesmanlike" for Guingona to become Poe’s adviser, Cayetano said.

"We in Lakas have a high regard for the Vice President. In fact, we had regretted his departure from the party. His party resignation, however, does not stop him from fulfilling his role as Vice President," he said.

"Perhaps the opposition, particularly the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), should focus instead on reconciling its warring factions."

The LDP was split into two factions late last year with one supporting Poe as the party’s presidential bet and the other backing Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Poe is the standard-bearer of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, which is composed of several parties including the LDP faction backing him.

As Mrs. Arroyo’s choice to be her vice president, Guingona "can’t oppose administration policies and still be a credible vice president," Nograles said.

"The Vice President has earned his place in our political hall of fame. I am sure he is wise and pragmatic enough not to end his career with blunders like becoming Poe’s adviser," Puentevella said.

Mrs. Arroyo appointed Guingona as vice president in early 2001 after she replaced Joseph Estrada, who was booted out by a popular uprising following allegations of massive corruption. He was also given the foreign affairs portfolio.

Guingona quit the post last July over differences with Mrs. Arroyo on the deployment of US troops in Mindanao.

His stand won him the respect of leftist groups that are traditionally leery of US influence in Philippine policy-making. — With reports from Marichu Villanueva, Jose Rodel Clapano, Mayen Jaymalin