Gordon-Fernando tandem files COCs

Senator Richard Gordon and former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando on Tuesday formalized their bid for the country’s top two posts in next year's elections. Presidential aspirant Gordon and running mate Fernando, who both came in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Manila in native barong Tagalog, filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at exactly 2:30 p.m., hours after they announced their team-up. Fernando, who left the MMDA and the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD after he was not chosen as its presidential pick, said he initially approached Gordon to become his vice-president, but ended up becoming the senator’s running mate instead. “Natagpuan ko ang taong kasing-paniwala ko. Nakita ko na hindi na kami magkakahirapan pa ng pagsasama at nakita ko na ito ang magdudulot ng kabutihan sa atin (I found a like-minded person in Senator Gordon. I saw that our team-up would not be difficult and realized that working with him will bring us good)," he said. Gordon, for his part, said "leadership" sets their team-up apart from other tandems for the 2010 polls. “Filing a COC is not a joke. This is a commitment. This requires courage. You cannot hide behind money. You cannot hide behind a birthright or pedigree. You need leadership and proven tasks," he said. The tandem, running under the Comelec-accredited Bagumbayan, vowed to generate jobs and spearhead “transformational politics" if elected to office. Gordon officially announced his team-up with Fernando Tuesday afternoon. Fernando said the tandem was finalized only last night after a discussion with the senator. [See: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/178226/gordon-fernando-announce-tandem-in-2010-polls] Gordon, who is also the current head of the Philippine National Red Cross, was elected to the Senate in 2004. He has authored and sponsored landmark bills, most notably the Election Automation Act and the Veterans’ Bill, during his six years as senator. Fernando, meanwhile, was also a former Public Works and Highways secretary. - KBK, GMANews.TV