PHVOTE 2013

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Revilla leaves 2016 presidential plans to destiny

by Angela Casauay
Posted on 02/05/2013 4:42 PM | Updated 02/05/2013 6:39 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Let’s take it one election at a time.

Sen Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr played coy when he was asked during a press conference whether his possible presidential bid in 2016 was taken up during the caucus of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) on Tuesday, February 5.

“It’s an honor to be fielded against Vice President [Jejomar] Binay and Mar Roxas, but it’s too early to call. Wala pa kaming napag-usapan na ganyan sa partido at di ako nagmamadali (We have not tackled this in the party and I am not in a hurry),” Revilla said.

“I do believe in destiny. Kung dadating, dadating 'yan, pero s'yempre mahabang preparasyon at kailangang paghandaan (If it comes, it will come but of course, there’s a need for a long preparation and I have to be prepared),” he said.

Revilla was appointed as Lakas-CMD chairman on Tuesday, while Leyte Rep Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was named party president.

His party mate, Quezon Rep Danilo Suarez, earlier revealed Lakas is eyeing Revilla to be Lakas-CMD’s standard bearer in the 2016 presidential elections.

"Let's not kid ourselves, he is also a pillar in our political hierarchy and possible candidate for another position. At saka may agimat iyon. Bihira ang senador na merong agimat (And besides, he has an amulet. A senator with an amulet is rare.)," Suarez said.

A popular actor, Revilla finished 2nd, with 15.8 million votes, when he first ran for senator in 2004. In his re-election in 2010, he topped the race with 19.51 million votes.

While serving as a senator, Revilla played the lead role in a series of "Agimat" films in recent installments of the Metro Manila Film Festival. He currently stars in an action-fantasy television series.

Having benefited from the political capital of his father Ramon Revilla Sr, another actor who became senator, Bong Revilla eventually paved the way for his other relatives to win political seats: his young brother Strike is the mayor of their hometown Bacoor, Cavite, while his wife Lani is the congresswoman. His son, actor and barangay chairman Jolo Revilla, is running for vice governor of the province. – Rappler.com