Mr. Gordon, are you running for President or what?

Is there really a difference between someone who "refuses to confirm" plans to run in 2010 as President and someone who is still "undecided" about running for President?  And how far is this from the possibility of not running at all as President in 2010?

Talk about Senator Richard Gordon running for President has surfaced about three times now since 1992.  It is almost just like the talk of PLDT top honcho Manuel V. Pangilinan running for President.

Gordon, through his own arguments, has proven that he is indeed among the more qualified to lead the country in 2010 and has pointed out very serious flaws in the emerging candidacies of those who have already categorically declared their intention to seek the Presidency.

However, more and more people are disregarding whatever it is he says about what the Presidential race in 2010 SHOULD BE and have just opted to wait for him to file his certificate of candidacy as President in November.

Then again, there are those that really do believe in the idea of Gordon for President and they have risked looking like utter fools.  Because after getting involved in figurative and literal fights in the name of their candidate or going as far as to actually DONATE MONEY, they still face the prospect of waking up one morning to find out that they had fought for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Anyway, here's an article from Sunstar that got my goat because I have heard quite a different story from the HORSE'S MOUTH.

Gordon still undecided on 2010 plans
Saturday, September 19, 2009

DURING the final day of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) National Conference on Friday, Senator Richard Gordon expressed his hope for the Filipino people to vote wisely on the coming 2010 elections.

Gordon participated in the CEAP forum, which tackled education agenda of the political aspirants in next year’s polls.

The event was well attended by over 1,200 members from different universities, schools, and colleges.

The highlights of the three-day activity were the Tribute to Cory, Forum with National Leaders, and CEAP Educator’s Exhibit.

Other politicians like Senator Manny Villar was invited to attend the forum but was not able to come because of prior commitments.

Choose capable candidates

According to Gordon, the people must pick presidential aspirants who are capable of leading the country forward.

“The people should learn to choose candidates who have the capacity, track record, and integrity to lead. We’ve been left by other countries already; we need a leader who can move us forward,” he said.

Gordon also urged the public to question those who are running for 2010. “We need to ask Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on what he has done as the Secretary of National Defense or when he was still a Congressman, and is it enough for him to be the President?”

The senator said if the people will continue to vote those who are “popular” over those who are “capable,” the country is facing a bigger problem.

When asked about his plans for the 2010, Gordon refused to confirm anything yet and said he will “decide on the matter very soon” and believes that he’s a winnable candidate because of his record.

Political advertisements

Gordon meanwhile said politicians who have running advertisements should explain their move to the people.

“Senator Manny Villar and others who have big advertisements should explain their side. The issue should always be on one’s capabilities,” he said.

His statement is in line with the 90 day campaign period set by the Commission on Election (Comelec) for those who will be running for any public position.

“That’s the only time a person is allowed to campaign and to shell out funds for Comelec to know where the money is coming from and how much they’ve already used,” Gordon said.

He added: “I think people are violating the law left and right because we are a very weak society in the sense that we don’t have a strong moral and legal backbone.”

Gordon also said the Supreme Court (SC) should look at the essential matters when it comes to premature campaigning.

Just recently, Mayor Rosalinda Penera of Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte was found guilty of premature campaigning. (Glaiza Jarloc/Sunnex)