MANILA, Philippines ? Senator Manny Villar finally broke his silence on Wednesday on persistent talks that he was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's "secret" candidate.

Speaking at the Makati Business Club in Dusit Hotel in Makati City, Villar categorically denied this rumor, saying he had never spoken with either President Arroyo or her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, as what has been circulating in text messages.

"I'm supposed to be the candidate of GMA [Arroyo's initials]. I have never talked to President Arroyo, the First Gentleman," he said.

"I've never been to Syria," he said, referring to an old report that he had met there with Arroyo.

Villar also denied meeting with Arroyo's staunchest ally, former congressman Mike Defensor.

"I've never been to the house of Defensor," he said.

"I was supposed to have slept in the house of Ampatuans before the massacre. Wow!" said Villar, drawing laughter from the audience.

He was referring to the power clan of Ampatuans, who were implicated in the killings of more than 50 people in November last year.

Villar reiterated that he has always been independent. He said he was never anyone's follower.

He said he was trying to conduct a "respectable" campaign, by avoiding negativity and "attacking" his fellow candidates.

"Yes I have spent money ? much of it my own ? because as a person of humble origins, I may not be as well known to many of our people," he said.

"But I have tried to avoid negativity. I have so far avoided attacking my fellow candidates. My ads simply try to communicate a little bit of who I am, where I cam from, and what I stand for," he said.