In a blogger session with Senator Chiz Escudero, he shared with us his planned original endorsed line-up for the Senate with his former party, the NPC. He still supports these candidates even though he’s left the party already. One of the names that came up was my auntie’s, Susan “Toots” Ople. Others that he mentioned were Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Cong. TG Guingona, Bongbong Plaza, and General Danny Lim.

Here’s the video. Sorry for the poor quality, I took this with my BlackBerry phone camera and I forgot to take out the plastic case which kinda covered the audio receptors, haha.

I’ll be posting more about the various discussions that happened in the event in the coming days. He even mentioned who he would endorse if he decided not to pursue his bid for the Presidency.

Related posts:

1. Susan “Toots” Ople declares Senate bid in 2010
2. Face the Senate and fight Senator Villar!
3. Coffee with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano recently revealed that he’s considering running for the Senate in 2010. Contrary to a lot of speculations, if ever he will run he will not be under the administration ticket. He explains that in the event that he does run, he will be under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). As most of you know, NPC is still deliberating on either Senator Loren Legarda or Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as their standard bearer for 2010.

He clarifies though that he’ll only decide for sure if he will run under the NPC based on the party’s decision on how will be their candidate for President. This makes you think though on who he’s actually supporting. I’d love to find out if he’s for Senator Legarda or for Senator Escudero.

I haven’t heard anything bad about this guy yet, but I haven’t heard anything spectacular also. Will have to make some research first if he’s worth my vote.

Here’s the article on Inquirer.Net:

DAVAO CITY—Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano has announced that he will not rule out the possibility of running for senator in the 2010 elections.

Durano, whose Trabaho sa Turismo advertisements have become a regular fare on TV, said on Thursday that should he decide to join the race, he would run under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Durano said that while he was a member of President Gloria Macapacal-Arroyo’s Cabinet, the Chief Executive knew that he had been with the NPC from the start.

“She brought me in as a member of NPC. If ever I’ll join politics, I’ll come in as NPC,” Durano said.

But he also confirmed that “someone from Lakas-Kampi” offered him a slot under the administration lineup. He clarified that it was not the President who made the offer.

Durano also made clear that his senatorial bid would depend on NPC’s decision on who would be the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates.

NPC members who had announced their intention to contest the presidency were Senators Loren Legarda and Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

“I cannot decide since I don’t know who will be the standard bearer of the NPC. The party was supposed to announce the other week, but it was postponed,” Durano said.

If there’s anything I like about this guy though is that he has modernized tourism in the Philippines. I heard that he was the primary force that pushed the Department of Tourism to do online marketing. They event went as far as doing campaigns in the popular online game Second Life. Since I’m an Internet Marketing guy, this edges him closer to my heart, haha.

Related posts:

1. Senator Escudero’s Senate Line-up
2. Is it Villar-Legarda for 2010?
3. 2010 Landscape so far: 8 Presidentiables?