MANILA, Philippines — Former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for president on Wednesday.
He formalized his presidential bid at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City.
Gonzales, also former national security adviser, is aiming to change the politics in the country.
“Ang hangarin po natin ay baguhin ang umiiral na pamumulitika dito sa bayan natin. Sa akin pong karanasan na halos isang dekada sa paglilingkod sa gobyerno, nakita ko po ang pagiging importante ng politika at ng uri ng politiko na magpapatakbo ng bayan natin,” he said during his speech after filing his COC.
(We aim to change the prevailing politicking in our country. In my experience of almost a decade of government service, I saw the importance of politics and the kind of politicians running the country.)
“Nakikita ko naman po na maraming sasama sa’kin na iikot sa bansa at sasabihin na, ‘palagay ko, panahon na upang baguhin natin ang bulok na pamumulitika sa bayan natin,’” he added.
(I observe that many individuals will come with me and say, “I think, it’s time to change the rotten politics in our nation.”)
Gonzales is running under Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas.