MABALACAT, Pampanga – Vice Pres. Noli de Castro again said here that he will “never, never” seek reelection in favor of “a higher position”, even as he expressed confidence that the country’s remaining three million housing backlog could be solved during the six-year term of the next president.
In an interview with Punto during the inauguration Sunday of the multi-billion Xevera housing project of Globe Asiatic Corp. here, De Castro virtually confirmed anew his presidential ambitions despite his refusal to declare it explicitly.
He said he has refused to be explicit about his political plans in the 2010 elections for fear that media would put political color to his projects as chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). He said he preferred to concentrate on government projects amid the global economic crisis.
Regardless of this, De Castro made clear his presidential plans in 2010 by saying he will “never, never” run for reelection and that he will “run for a higher position”.
At the same time, De Castro said he believed that former Pres. Estrada “still has the capability to win” in the 2010 presidential race, but he expressed doubt that the former president is “qualified” (by law) to do so.
Earlier, Estrada’s political adviser former senator Ernesto Maceda said Estrada would seek the presidency again should the six opposition presidential aspirants fail to agree on a common presidential bet. Maceda said that only Estrada has the chance of winning against De Castro who, he noted, is likely to be named presidential candidate of the administration.
Meanwhile, De Castro also said that the next president could be able to solve the three million remaining housing backlog. “It is difficult considering that our population keeps on growing, but if one puts will into it, the next president could cope with such backlog,” he said.
This, even as De Castro also confirmed the existence of “narco politics” which, he noted, is mostly at the local government level.
“I don’t think it has reached alarming levels, but narco politics must be stopped before it takes control of our elected officials,” he said.
De Castro also justified Pres. Arroyo’s naming herself as drugs and environment czar, saying that measures against illegal drugs and those for environmental protection can now be implemented readily.
“The President has been doing the best she can in the same way that I want to leave a legacy as vice president,” he said, even as he skirted a question on his assessment of the administration amid the President’s desire to be remembered in history as a “good president” as she had declared in her first days in Malacanang.
In an interview with Punto during the inauguration Sunday of the multi-billion Xevera housing project of Globe Asiatic Corp. here, De Castro virtually confirmed anew his presidential ambitions despite his refusal to declare it explicitly.
He said he has refused to be explicit about his political plans in the 2010 elections for fear that media would put political color to his projects as chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). He said he preferred to concentrate on government projects amid the global economic crisis.
Regardless of this, De Castro made clear his presidential plans in 2010 by saying he will “never, never” run for reelection and that he will “run for a higher position”.
At the same time, De Castro said he believed that former Pres. Estrada “still has the capability to win” in the 2010 presidential race, but he expressed doubt that the former president is “qualified” (by law) to do so.
Earlier, Estrada’s political adviser former senator Ernesto Maceda said Estrada would seek the presidency again should the six opposition presidential aspirants fail to agree on a common presidential bet. Maceda said that only Estrada has the chance of winning against De Castro who, he noted, is likely to be named presidential candidate of the administration.
Meanwhile, De Castro also said that the next president could be able to solve the three million remaining housing backlog. “It is difficult considering that our population keeps on growing, but if one puts will into it, the next president could cope with such backlog,” he said.
This, even as De Castro also confirmed the existence of “narco politics” which, he noted, is mostly at the local government level.
“I don’t think it has reached alarming levels, but narco politics must be stopped before it takes control of our elected officials,” he said.
De Castro also justified Pres. Arroyo’s naming herself as drugs and environment czar, saying that measures against illegal drugs and those for environmental protection can now be implemented readily.
“The President has been doing the best she can in the same way that I want to leave a legacy as vice president,” he said, even as he skirted a question on his assessment of the administration amid the President’s desire to be remembered in history as a “good president” as she had declared in her first days in Malacanang.
