MANILA, Philippines--Indeed, why not field a show biz personality who can wow the crowds and bring in the votes with his charm?
Malacańang on Saturday threw its support behind actor-TV host Edu Manzano as the running mate of presumptive administration standard-bearer, outgoing Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro
?There were many who ran for public office and won because they were connected to mass media and show biz. Why not Edu?? said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in a phone interview.
After all, elections are ?a matter of getting votes,? added Ermita, outgoing interim president of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
?In our selection process, we considered who has the capability to win and gather votes. But [aside] from being on [television], he has served as vice mayor and chair of the Optical Media Board. He has done well,? he said of Manzano.
Vice President Noli de Castro and Sen. Loren Legarda parlayed their popularity as broadcast journalists into electoral victory when they first ran for public office years ago.
Party officials on Friday announced their choice of Manzano as their vice presidential candidate for the May 2010 presidential elections.
Ermita said it won?t be hard to sell Manzano because he?s recognized by almost everyone.
?If you are a game show host, you should be intelligent,? Press Secretary Cerge Remonde told reporters Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in Singapore.
Remonde said Teodoro found a ?perfect partner? in Manzano in the context of the ruling party?s attempt at a ?makeover.?
?Let?s face it. The party in power is always fairly or unfairly being [perceived as a] traditional party or a party of older men. That is precisely why the party right now is determined to put in fresh leadership,? he said.
Besides, he added: ?They?re both young and good-looking. They have appeal, and they?re very easy to relate to.?
Manzano, who hosted game shows on ABS-CBN, will be ranged against Legarda, a former broadcast journalist at the same network, and Sen. Manuel Roxas II who is married to another ABS-CBN broadcaster, Korina Sanchez.
?You can factor that in. He?s being in ABS-CBN is the reason why he has very good exposure,? Ermita said. TJ Burgonio and Christian V. Esguerra
