Actor Montano replaces Petilla in Team Unity

A member of the administration’s Team Unity withdrew from the senatorial race yesterday and was replaced by award-winning actor Cesar Montano.

Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio confirmed that Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla withdrew from the race to seek reelection in his province.

Claudio accompanied Montano at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila last night in filing the certificate of candidacy to replace Petilla as senatorial candidate for Team Unity.

"He (Montano) has been in the shortlist of the administration. And he was chosen because Governor Petilla would want somebody from the Visayas to replace him as the administration’s official senatorial candidate," Claudio told reporters at the Comelec shortly after the filing.

"Why Cesar? Because we have always believed in his capability and winnability," Claudio remarked.

Petilla revealed in a television interview earlier yesterday that he was trying to convince his mother Leyte Rep. Remedios Petilla to replace him in the administration senatorial slate.

Petilla added his mother wanted to retire from politics so he floated the "option" of his withdrawing from the senatorial race and seek re-election as Leyte governor.

"We understand his predicament and we have decided to have Cesar Montano as substitute. He has always been in the short list and long list of candidates for the administration," Claudio said.

He said Petilla had considered the urgent appeal of his family and supporters to seek re-election in the province.

Claudio said Montano was a very apt replacement for Petilla since the actor also hails from the Visayas. Montano is a native of Bohol and traces his roots to Cebu.

With Montano in, Claudio said this completes representation of all regions in the country.

President Arroyo will accompany Team Unity today to formally present the 12 senatorial candidates in Cebu City and kick off the administration’s campaign.

Montano will be presented as the 12th senatorial candidate during the proclamation rally in Cebu, Claudio said.

Claudio explained Montano could still be accommodated as a substitute candidate under election laws.

Montano, for his part, said that he was honored to have been chosen as among the administration’s official senatorial bet.

The actor said he is happy to join a group that is "united in efforts for good of the country and the Filipino people."

"I am really glad because I was chosen to run as a candidate despite there are so many people more qualified than me," he said.

Montano said the administration might have noticed his accomplishments "as an actor, as an artist, in bringing honor to our country."

"I am not here to compete... but to unite the efforts to move our country forward," he said when asked how he felt running against fellow actor Richard Gomez who had decided to run as an independent.

Montano said his decision to join the administration senatorial slate has the full support of his wife Sunshine Cruz.

"The offer landed on my lap, so dito ako nilagay ng Diyos," he said.

Montano said he would be running under the platform of reforms for education and health services for the people.

He said he would also prioritize bills that would uplift the lives of those working in the movie industry.

"Siguro hindi naman kailangan ng mahabang arithmetic yung dapat nating ibalik ang pera ng mga taxpayers," he added.

Puppetry

Durano, on the other hand, revealed Petilla simply would want somebody from his family to replace him as governor.

And since his mother wanted to retire from politics, Petilla felt it is a wiser move to seek re-election as governor.

"Becoming a governor will take a heavy toll on her (mother’s) health, according to Icot (Petilla’s nickname)," Durano said.

"The family is not prepared to just leave local politics behind at this time," he added.

Durano said Montano was chosen because of his desire to support the administration.

As to why Montano was chosen, Durano said the actor represented the entertainment industry and was aware of its needs.

Despite the inclusion of a popular showbiz personality in the administration slate, Durano said the people would no longer be treated with song-and-dance fanfare from candidates but only on issues of governance.

A spokesman for the political opposition, now renamed as Genuine Opposition (GO), belittled the inclusion of Montano.

Lawyer Adel Tamano said the opposition is sad that Montano has allowed himself to be used by the administration in the May elections.

"First, they should change their (administration’s) name to Team Disunity," Tamano said.

Tamano noted the administration is keen on "utilizing" popular figures like boxing champion Manny Pacquiao during elections, in a bid to gather more votes. 

"I want to address this issue in terms of Manny Pacquiao.  Manny and Cesar are both excellent in their fields, Manny excels in boxing while Cesar Montano in the movies... but the administration (will) use them and put them to politics where they are not at their best," Tamano said.

"Politicians use them for their own benefits," he said.

Opposition candidate Manuel Villar Jr., for his part, welcomed the entry of Montano.

"What can I say but to welcome him into the race," Villar said, stressing he has nothing against Montano delving into politics.

Villar described the action star as a "reserve" for the administration, saying he had an inkling that Montano would eventually be tapped.

Villar claimed Petilla himself knew beforehand that his chances of winning a seat in the Senate were slim compared with being re-elected as Leyte governor.

"Montano has no problem getting the votes since he is already popular as an action star," he said.

"Walang problema, kahit papogihan, pwede tayong lumaban," (No problem with that. Even with good looks, we can compete with him.) Villar said in jest. – With James Mananghaya, Christina Mendez, Jaime Laude