Lacson says his plans for 2010 may still change

Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday said he still might have a change of heart on his 2010 plans, although he hinted that he is the better option of the opposition for its standard-bearer come election time.

“Opportunity and means should come at the proper time. And if the other two more important considerations don’t present themselves at the proper time, I won’t go for it,” Lacson said.

He also questioned the openness of former President and opposition leader Joseph Estrada to Vice President Noli de Castro joining the opposition because they are already crowded.

“I have nothing against Kabayan (De Castro), he’s a good friend. But for the so-called acknowledged titular head of the opposition to be inviting people outside of the core of the opposition groups that is already very huge, it doesn’t gel when we talk about 2010,” Lacson said, adding that if he is not chosen as the opposition’s standard-bearer, he will still not run under the administration slate.

Lacson believes he would not lag behind in terms of organization and machinery compared to Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party, Sen. Manuel Roxas II of the Liberal Party and other political parties that would field presidential candidates in 2010, having run two national campaigns already.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who is said to be also eyeing the presidency or the vice presidency, said his party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition, had not yet scheduled any talks as to how it would position itself in the coming elections.

Sen. Loren Legarda, also of the NPC, is another presidential hopeful, along with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Cory is the gauge

Pardoned former President Estrada said that former President Corazon Aquino will be his gauge if he will attend President Arroyo’s call for unity talks with former presidents.

“I told President Aquino, Madame President, if you will agree, I will agree. If you don’t, I will not,” Estrada recalled of a recent conversation with Mrs. Aquino.

Estrada had initially declined the invitation of the Arroyo government to sit down for a unity talk with Arroyo because of the presence of former President Fidel Ramos.

Pink presidency

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando will stand by his favorite color – pink – which he will use in his 2010 presidential campaign.

Pink, Fernando explained, symbolizes freshness and health.

“Everybody wants to be in the pink of health. And I want to bring the country to the pink of health in 2010,” said the MMDA chairman who has signified his intention to run for president in 2010 before his partymates in the Lakas-NUCD. – With Christina Mendez, Jose Rodel Clapano, Edith Regalado